The Franco brothers used to be the "it" duo of Hollywood. You remember the vibe. James was the eccentric, Oscar-nominated polymath who seemingly never slept, and Dave was the younger, charismatic scene-stealer from 21 Jump Street who eventually proved he could direct a mean thriller. They peaked together with The Disaster Artist in 2017. It felt like the start of a family dynasty.
Then, things got quiet. Really quiet.
If you’ve been scrolling through casting news lately, you’ve probably noticed a massive divide. Dave is everywhere—promoting Now You See Me: Now You Don’t and mentoring new stars like Mason Thames. Meanwhile, James is popping up in Italian indie films and looking, frankly, unrecognizable in paparazzi shots. Honestly, the "James Franco and Dave" dynamic has shifted from a partnership to a total study in brand separation.
The Disaster Artist was their last stand
It’s weird to think that The Disaster Artist was the last time we saw them truly in sync. James played the delusional Tommy Wiseau, and Dave played Greg Sestero. It was a meta-masterpiece about friendship and filmmaking. But shortly after that high, the 2018 allegations of sexual misconduct against James hit the headlines.
He didn’t just lose his spot on the A-list; he lost his circle.
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The fallout was messy. Seth Rogen, who was practically the third Franco brother for a decade, famously distanced himself. In late 2024, James admitted that he and Rogen don't speak anymore. That’s a huge deal. When your creative "soulmate" cuts ties, people look to the blood relatives next.
Why Dave had to step away
People often ask why Dave doesn't talk about James more. It's not that he's being cold; it's survival. For a long time, Dave was "James Franco’s little brother." He fought that label for years. Just recently, in late 2025, Dave told Bustle that nobody was going to hire him just because of his name. He basically said that if he "sucked," he would have disappeared long ago.
He's not wrong.
While Dave acknowledges that James helped him get an agent early on, he’s spent the last seven years building a wall between their careers. You won't see them co-starring in a raunchy comedy anytime soon. Dave’s primary collaborator now is his wife, Alison Brie. They’ve done The Rental, Somebody I Used to Know, and the recent body horror flick Together. He’s found a new team, and James isn't on the roster.
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Where is James Franco in 2026?
If you’re looking for James, you won't find him at the Oscars or hosting SNL. He’s been "cancelled" in the traditional Hollywood sense, but he hasn't stopped working. He’s just working elsewhere.
- International Projects: He recently starred in the Italian film Hey Joe and a French action movie called Largo Winch 3.
- A New Look: He’s 47 now. Recent photos from the Taormina Film Festival show him with gray hair and a much more rugged, weathered look. He told Variety that being "told you're bad" was painful but necessary for his growth.
- Art and Sobriety: He’s still painting and remains open about his recovery from sex addiction, which he’s been in treatment for since 2016.
He’s trying for a comeback with a road-trip comedy called Love Meets in the Sunshine, but the buzz is nothing like the old days. It’s a scrappy, indie existence.
The "Estrangement" Rumors
Is there beef? That’s the million-dollar question.
Publicly, they are supportive but distant. Dave recently mentioned that James is "excited" to see him trying new things. They still show up for family milestones—James was spotted celebrating Dave’s 40th birthday in 2025. But professionally? They are on different planets.
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Dave is protecting a career that is currently at its peak. He’s got Now You See Me 3 and a new comedy called The S---heads on the way. Associating too closely with the "James Franco brand" is a risk he clearly isn't willing to take right now. It's a classic case of family love vs. professional liability.
What the industry thinks
Hollywood is a fickle place. People like Seth Rogen have made their stance clear: the allegations (and James' admission of sleeping with students at his acting school) were a bridge too far. But Dave occupies a unique space. He’s liked by everyone. He’s managed to keep the Franco name "clean" by being a consummate professional and focusing on his own craft.
Actionable Insights: Moving Forward
If you’re following the Franco brothers' trajectory, here’s how to look at the situation:
- Don't expect a reunion: The "Franco Brother" brand is dead for the foreseeable future. Dave is leaning into his role as a director and a mentor, while James is relegated to the international indie circuit.
- Watch Dave's directing: If you want to see where the real talent is shifting, watch Dave’s behind-the-camera work. He’s moving toward darker, more elevated genre films.
- Separate the art from the artist: Fans are still divided. Some still watch Pineapple Express on repeat; others have wiped James from their watchlists. Dave’s success proves that the public is willing to judge them as individuals.
The story of the Franco brothers isn't a tragedy, but it is a cautionary tale about how quickly a "power duo" can dissolve when personal scandals meet the reality of a changing industry. Dave is the survivor; James is the outlier. Whether James can ever truly "come back" to the mainstream remains to be seen, but for now, Dave is the one holding the torch.