James Franco and Seth Rogen were previously inseparable friends and collaborators, but now Franco states their friendship has come to an end.

In a recent interview with Variety released on Friday, Franco discussed his breakup with Rogen and shared insights about his attempt to return to acting after facing a series of #MeToo sexual misconduct allegations in the past decade.

“I haven’t spoken to Seth. I cherish the time we had together for 20 years, but it seems to be over. And it’s not because I didn’t reach out. I’ve let him know how much he means to me,” Franco expressed during the interview.

Franco and Rogen, who initially met as teenagers, collaborated on popular projects like “Freaks and Geeks,” “The Disaster Artist,” “Pineapple Express,” and “This Is The End.” However, their real-life relationship has become quite complicated.

Franco had previously acknowledged his sexual misconduct allegations and his distance from Rogen in 2021. Rogen had also indicated to Britain’s The Sunday Times that he would not be collaborating with Franco again.

During an interview with Jess Cagle on SiriusXM’s “The Jess Cagle Podcast” in December 2021, Franco echoed Rogen’s sentiments.

“It was definitely hurtful, especially in context, but I understand. He had to speak on my behalf since I was being quiet. I don’t want anyone to have to speak for me,” Franco remarked in the podcast.

Franco elaborated during the 2021 discussion that “We never had a single argument over 20 years. He was my closest friend at work, and we complemented each other. But it’s true: we’re not collaborating at this moment, and we have no plans to do so.”

Now promoting his new film “Hey Joe” at the Rome Film Festival, Franco revisited the allegations and his journey back into acting during the Variety interview.

“Hearing that you’re viewed negatively is tough, but I think it was what I needed to steer my life in a different direction,” Franco commented.

He added: “I’m genuinely thankful to be back at work. I was involved in a lawsuit which put my career on hold. Then the COVID pandemic hit, and everyone faced a standstill. It made me question my identity and purpose.”

The Timeline of Seth Rogen and James Franco’s Friendship Fallout

Franco and Rogen shared a friendship spanning over two decades, but the incidents that led to their rift began around ten years ago.

In 2014, Franco, then 35, stirred controversy after attempting to ask out a 17-year-old girl on Instagram, for which he later issued an apology. That same year, both Franco and Rogen humorously addressed the incident during their appearances on “SNL.”

Four years later, during a 2018 interview with Vulture, Rogen seemed open to continuing their collaboration.

Franco responds to sexual misconduct allegations, with critics dismissing his remarks

In May 2021, Rogen shared insights on their relationship with The Sunday Times.

“Looking back, I regret a joke I made on ‘Saturday Night Live’ in 2014. It was a bad joke. I also reflect on my comments in 2018 about continuing to work with James; the truth is, I haven’t and don’t plan to at present,” Rogen admitted.

In June 2021, just after Rogen’s statements, Franco agreed to a $2.2 million settlement regarding a sexual misconduct lawsuit from former students at his acting school, who accused him of coercing them into inappropriate scenes on camera.