Three years since their friendship imploded, James Franco has given a sad update on his relationship with Seth Rogen. The duo, who used to be inseparable as they worked on films such as “Pineapple Express,” haven’t spoken since Rogen publicly cut ties with Franco over serious allegations.

Franco, now 46, was accused by five former students of inappropriate and sexual behavior towards them. Those accusations became a lawsuit as well, which affected his career and private life. Speaking candidly in an interview before the new film “Hey Joe,” Franco said, “I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over. And not for lack of trying.”

Since allegations surfaced in January 2018, Franco, 42 years old, had been the steady grounding force in Franco’s ventures. In a Los Angeles Times investigative piece five women alleged that Franco was sexualizing or taking advantage of them in a sexual way. One woman remembered one moment that revolved around when he removed the plastic guards on actresses vulvas while making a pretend blowjob session. Two of these women, Sarah Tither-Kaplan and Toni Gaal, have filed a lawsuit against Franco in 2019, accusing him of using his Studio 4 acting school to sexually exploit young women.

By his lawyer, Franco labeled the accusations as serious. The case was settled in July 2021 for $2.2 million. This was a reconciliation that distinguished Franco’s image quite remarkably from that point on and into his personal relationships.

Although this has just surfaced in 2018, Rogen showed much sympathy for Franco back when and continued to work with him despite this. On the other hand, last May of this year, he posted that he no longer collaborated with Franco. With his statements made public in an interview of Britain’s Sunday Times, his professional working bond became at an all-time end while his personal tie did stretch and break into several strands.

Franco’s latest remarks convey the sense of loss about their friendship. He has said, “I’ve told him how much he’s meant to me.” In such attempts, Rogen shows no signs of changing that stance.

This public feud between Franco and Rogen is a topic of interest only because both have had decades-long successful collaboration. In early 2000, they put together one of the greatest teams of comedians to have been seen. A great milestone for both was the abrupt ending of that friendship.

Franco’s case also speaks of a larger issue concerning account and consequence within entertainment. His allegations are part of a massive wave in Hollywood addressing sexual misconduct within it, which caused quite a cultural shift towards transparence and responsibility.

While Franco continues with his career after this scandal, the question still remains whether he would be able to mend broken personal and professional relationships destroyed by the allegations. Now, though, the wound with Rogen serves as a stern reminder of the far-reaching impacts of his past action.

Controversy doesn’t seem to hamper his work, however; with “Hey Joe” his last assignment. But even though the past shadow stays long upon his life, professionally as well as personally. Perhaps nothing is more representative than losing his friendship with Seth Rogen as the direct and indirect result of misconduct that he was said to have committed.

The James Franco and Seth Rogen story is a complex one, rife with success, scandal, and redemption. While Franco looks forward to reconciliation, some wounds will take time-or perhaps forever-to heal. As he continues on, Franco’s path will be shaped by what happened as much as by the ongoing accountability and growth.