It’s been a while since we saw them together. You know the vibe—that specific, hazy, giggly energy that defined an entire era of R-rated comedy. For twenty years, Seth Rogen and James Franco were basically inseparable. They weren't just co-stars; they were the architects of a certain kind of "stoner cinema" that felt more like watching your funniest friends hang out than watching a polished Hollywood production.
But if you’ve been looking for a Pineapple Express 2 or even a simple selfie of the two of them lately, you’ve probably noticed the radio silence. It isn't just a busy schedule. Honestly, it’s a lot deeper than that.
The truth is, the partnership that started on the set of Freaks and Geeks in 1999 has effectively dissolved. And it didn't end with a big, dramatic blowup on a red carpet. It ended with a slow, heavy distancing that changed the landscape of modern comedy forever.
The Breaking Point: What Happened Between Seth Rogen and James Franco?
For a long time, Seth Rogen was James Franco’s biggest defender. When the first wave of allegations regarding Franco’s behavior at his acting school, Studio 4, hit the news in 2018, Rogen stood by him. He even told Vulture at the time that he’d keep working with him.
Things shifted. Publicly.
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In May 2021, Rogen gave a pretty landmark interview to The Sunday Times. He didn't mince words. He admitted that he regretted a joke he made on SNL years prior about Franco's social media activity with a teenager. More importantly, he stated clearly that he had no plans to work with Franco again.
"I despise abuse and harassment," Rogen said. He noted that the situation had changed "many things" in their relationship and dynamic.
Fast forward to late 2024 and early 2025. Franco has finally started speaking up about the rift. During the Rome Film Festival, while promoting a smaller indie film called Hey Joe, Franco got real with Variety. He admitted they hadn't talked in years. "I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it's over," he said. He even mentioned he’d tried to reach out, but the door stayed shut.
From Freaks to "The Interview" Controversy
To understand why this hit fans so hard, you have to look at the sheer volume of work they put out. They weren't just guys who did a movie once every five years. They were a brand.
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- Freaks and Geeks (1999): The origin story. Franco was the "freak" Daniel Desario, and Rogen was the dry, sarcastic Ken Miller.
- Pineapple Express (2008): This is the one everyone remembers. It turned the stoner comedy into an action-movie spectacle.
- This Is the End (2013): They literally played versions of themselves. In hindsight, the meta-commentary on their friendship in this movie is almost eerie to watch now.
- The Interview (2014): The movie that almost started a war with North Korea. It showed how much power they had—and how much risk they were willing to take together.
- The Disaster Artist (2017): Their final major critical peak. Franco won a Golden Globe, but that was also the night the first public accusations surfaced online via Twitter.
Their last actual collaboration was a movie called Zeroville. It was filmed way back in 2014 but didn't actually crawl out of "development hell" until 2019. By the time it hit theaters, the energy had already shifted. It bombed, grossing less than $100,000. It was a quiet, awkward whimper of an ending for a duo that used to dominate the box office.
Why Seth Rogen Chose to Walk Away
People often ask if Rogen "canceled" his friend. That's a bit of a simplification. Rogen’s brand has evolved significantly over the last decade. He’s moved from being the "pot-smoking guy" to a powerhouse producer of shows like The Boys and Invincible. He’s also become very vocal about creating safe work environments.
When Charlyne Yi, who appeared in The Disaster Artist, took to Instagram in 2021 to call out Rogen as an "enabler" of Franco’s behavior, the pressure mounted. Yi claimed she tried to quit the film because of Franco’s conduct and felt the producers tried to bribe her to stay.
Rogen had to make a choice. He chose his principles—and his future career—over a twenty-year friendship. It’s a move that many in Hollywood found surprising given how tight they were, but it signaled a permanent shift in how Rogen operates his business.
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Is a Reunion Ever Possible?
Short answer: Don't hold your breath.
In early 2025, Rogen did an interview with Esquire where he was asked about Franco’s comments that their friendship was "over." Rogen’s response was peak Seth Rogen: "Honestly, I absorb so little media that it really wasn't on my radar."
He’s not just avoiding the work; he’s avoiding the conversation entirely. He’s moved on to projects like his Apple TV+ series The Studio and his cannabis/ceramics brand, Houseplant.
Franco, on the other hand, is slowly trying to rebuild. He’s settled the sexual misconduct lawsuits for over $2 million and is taking roles in international and low-budget films. He’s expressed gratitude for the "fall from grace" because it forced him to look at his "workaholism" and personal issues, but that personal growth hasn't been enough to bridge the gap back to Rogen.
What You Should Take Away From This
The Seth Rogen and James Franco era is a closed chapter in Hollywood history. It’s a fascinating case study in how the "Me Too" movement didn't just change how studios hire actors—it changed the actual social fabric of the industry.
- Watch the old stuff for what it was: You can still appreciate the chemistry in Pineapple Express, but it hits differently knowing the real-world context of how it ended.
- Keep an eye on Rogen’s new "squad": He’s shifted his focus to working with people like Nick Kroll, Rose Byrne, and his lifelong writing partner Evan Goldberg.
- Follow the legal outcomes: If you want the full story, look into the specific details of the 2021 settlement involving Studio 4. It provides the "why" behind the industry's cold shoulder toward Franco.
If you're a fan of their old work, the best thing you can do is explore the solo projects they've both moved into. Rogen is arguably at his most creative right now, and Franco is attempting a very different, quieter type of acting. The "dynamic duo" is gone, but the individual careers are still moving—just in completely opposite directions.