Seth RogenandJames Francoproduced some of this century’s best comedy films.Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, This is the End, The Interview,andThe Disaster Artistare a few of this pair’s biggest hits. However, the once-iconic friendship and creative partnership has effectively ended in the last few years. This is primarily due to allegations of assault leveled against Franco in the wake of the late-2010s #MeToo movement.Franco has continued actingsince then but has shied away from the spotlight for lower-profile productions. He and Rogen have not appeared in a film together since 2019. So, what was that last collaboration?
Franco and Rogen last shared the screen with 2019’sZeroville. Directed by Franco, the film was reportedly trapped in development hell for several years prior to its release. When it finally saw the light of day, audiences decided it wasn’t worth the wait.Zerovillewas a critical and commercial bomb and an unflattering end to the Seth-and-James dynamic. But why did it all go so wrong? And how far a fall was it from this duo’s heights? Let’s look at what we know.
The Beginning and End of the Partnership Between Franco and Rogen
It’s only fitting that Rogen and Franco got their big break on the same show.Both actors were launched into the mainstream in the short-livedFreaks and Geeks. Hailing from Paul Feig and Judd Apatow, the one-season wonder also launched the careers of Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, John Francis Daley, and Busy Phillips, among many others. Franco made a cameo in Rogen’sKnocked Up, but their first film project as co-leads was 2008’sPineapple Express. A string of critical and commercial successes followed.
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2019’sZerovillewas not intendedto be the pair’s final outing. It was first announced in early 2011, with filming taking place in October and November 2014. Set for a 2015 or 2016 release, the project was delayed by the bankruptcy filing of distribution company Alchemy.Zerovillesat in limbo until April 2019, when myCinema picked it up and set it for a September release.It was released in limited theaters on September 20, grossing a pathetic $79k in total.
Critics weren’t any kinder either, asZerovillesits at a flat 23% on Rotten Tomatoes. Loosely based on actual industry figures, it follows Franco’s Vikar, an aspiring seminarian recently excommunicated from the Christian church. He moves to Hollywood in the late 1960s and lands a job at Paramount, with Rogen’s studio executive “Viking Man” taking Vikar under his wing. Vikar develops a knack for film editing and works his way up throughout the industry, eventually witnessing several key events in Hollywood history over the next few decades.
WhileZerovillewas the pair’s final released film, it was not the last time they had filmed together.The Disaster Artistwas filmed in late 2015 and early 2016, hitting theaters almost two years beforeZerovillein December 2017. But since then, both have committed to their solo projects.
Franco’s Alleged Problematic Behavior
The driving factor in the creative split was allegations leveled against Franco.In 2014, he was first accused of attempting to seduce an underage girl. He admitted his mistakes, and the accusations were soon forgotten by mainstream audiences.In January 2018, several women accused Franco of sexually inappropriate behavior while teaching acting classes. A lawsuit was filed against him in October 2019, with the suit settled in February 2021.
In late 2021, Franco admitted to having sex with some of his students and stated he was undergoing treatment for sexual addiction. After the lawsuit was settled in early 2021,Rogen broke his silenceon the matter. In May of that year, he publicly revealed that he likely would not work with Franco in the future. While not confirming anything one way or the other,Rogen outlined that the allegations against Franco put a significant strain on their friendship.
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In a 2024 interview,Franco said he had not talked to Rogenin several years despite attempts to remain in touch. The pair’s partnership was effectively over. When asked about Franco’s comments,Rogen declined to confirmone way or the other.
Since the schism, both have continued to act. Rogen has starred in big-name titles likeThe Fabelmans, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and Mufasa: The Lion King. On the other hand,Franco has mostly shied away from A-list projects. He’s appeared inPretenders,Kin,The Price of Money: A Largo Witch Adventure, and as a voice in the animatedArctic Dogs.
Franco is set to appear in the lower-budget productionsThe Long Home,Toad,andThe Razor’s Edge. He’s also reportedly taking a turn as Fidel Castro inAlina of Cuba. Barring any highly unlikely reconciliation, the Franco-Rogen partnership will end with the flopZeroville. In any case, it’s a fitting title for the end of Franco’s A-list career.Zerovilleis available to rent onApple TVandPrime Video.
