The 127 Hours actor became subject to controversy following accusations from his former students
After finding himself at the center of controversy due to accusations of sexual misconduct, Pineapple Express actor James Franco has opened up about how he expanded his career and learned from his experiences.
Franco has insisted the claims that were made against him by two former students from his film school in 2019 are ‘not accurate’, however at the time he said he didn’t want to ‘shut down’ those who ‘didn’t have a voice’.
The actor ended up reaching a $2.23 million settlement with the accusers, but last year he spoke to Variety about how he had been ‘cast out’ of Hollywood, saying: “It is what it is. I’ve honestly moved past it. It was dealt with, and I got to change.”
James Franco has denied the accusations against him (Kennedy Pollard/amfAR/amfAR via Getty Images)
While Franco said he changed his approach to work after the controversy, he still has a range of projects coming up. He recently appeared in the drama film Hey Joe, and is now preparing for a role in Vincent Gallo’s Golden State Killer.
But it’s not just acting roles he’s been taking on, and Franco admitted he got a ‘little crazy’ with work as he tried to juggle both acting and directing, forcing him to learn from his experiences.
Speaking to Variety, he explained: “I love movies so much and there were so many stories I wanted to tell. I went back to film school to learn how to direct [and realized]: ‘I’m no longer the person who has to wait for them to call me to be in their movie. I can make my own films!’ This started a whole other chapter.”
Franco admitted he still has the ‘obsession’ around movies, adding: “Let’s call it that, because I’m the kind of person who can become really obsessive.”
Franco went back to school to learn to direct (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for IFP)
However, Franco has learned it’s ‘good to have balance’.
“I had to learn its importance,” he said.
The actor, who is now 47 years old, spoke at Italy’s Torino Film Festival, where he also reflected on his work on the only movie that has earned him an Academy Award nomination – the harrowing 127 Hours.
The film, based on a true story, follows the story of Aron Ralston, played by Franco, as he becomes trapped by a boulder in a canyon in Utah and is forced to take drastic measures to survive.
Franco recalled his Oscar nomination as being ‘so impactful’, adding: “At that time, it was almost too much to take in.”
