James Franco reflected on being “canceled” in Hollywood and the dissolution of his friendship with Seth Rogen.

The actor sat down with Variety in an article published on October 25 about his new film Hey Joe by Italian director Claudio Giovannes and also addressed the aftermath of his 2019 lawsuit. The suit accused him of sexually exploiting female students at his now-closed acting school.

“Being told youre bad is painful,” he told the outlet. “But ultimately, thats kind of what I needed to just stop going the way I was going.”

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He elaborated in response to the publication’s question about being “canceled” in the United States since his most recent films have been European after a four-year-hiatus from acting. He stated that he is “grateful” to be working and how he used that time for a “good purpose.”

He acknowledged that he “had to change” his whole way of life and he’s “proud” of the work he did during that span of time. He said that while he wasn’t in movies, he “certainly was doing a lot of work to change” who he is.

The Pineapple Express star added that before his hiatus, he had a good career but it was “hard” for him to enjoy it since he was a “workaholic.” The 46-year-old was previously a sought out actor who starred in hit roles including Sam Raimis Spider-Man trilogy, comedies with Seth Rogen like This Is the End and Danny Boyles 127 Hours, where he earned an Oscar nomination.

James said how back then he didn’t appreciate any of the good moments and was always looking for more. So now with the hiatus, and “changing priorities,” what he looks to for fulfillment in life is different

“Ultimately, I think Im kind of grateful because it did afford me a chance to just do whatever private work and really change what I need to change.”

“So now that I am working, I can just be there for the project. Its not about me trying to fill some hole with work, its just about, ‘Wow, I have a really great life. Im very grateful, and I hope to serve whatever project I do.'”

At one point in the interview, he talked about his former collaborator and friend Seth Rogen who he has done numerous projects with from Freaks and Geeks to The Interview.

“No. I havent talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess its over. And not for lack of trying. Ive told him how much hes meant to me,” James said.

In 2018, the Disaster Artist star had various allegations of sexual misconduct at his New York and Los Angeles-based acting school, Studio 4, that he found in 2014. James and two other men were accused of sexually inappropriate behavior towards students, specifically in a class called Sex Scenes.

At the time, James denied the allegation and then settled the lawsuit in 2021. He also admitted on the Jess Cagle podcast in December 2021 that he slept with students in his school, saying he thought it was “consensual” at the time, but knows “that was wrong” and “it wasnt a master plan on my part.”

As he navigates his current career and life, James shared that he as “moved on” from being canceled in Tinseltown.

“I mean, it is what it is. Ive honestly moved past it. It was dealt with, and I got to change. So thats it, its over. I mean, Ive worked in the U.S. too. So Im just trying to move on,” the filmmaker said.