The Hollywood actor achieved fame in the early 2000's and landed roles in Spiderman, Pineapple Express and 127 Hours.
2018 saw his carrer plumet due sexual misconduct allegations, which resulted in a lawsuit that was settled in 2021.
Franco was accused by five women of sexual misconduct and an attorney at the time denied all of the allegations towards the actor.
Franco remained mostly out of the public eye with his last appearance being in the 2017 film 'Disaster Artist'. Since the allegations, his friendship with collaborator Seth Rogan ended.
The Hollywood man has opened a TikTok, appearing to try and restart his career, although the video are rather bizarre. The first video he posted he was wearing a blue t-shirt with “Bruce Robinson” written on across it with marker.
“Hey guys, this is James Franco. Me, really James Franco. I’m here at my house. I’m not promoting anything, OK? I’m making this account because, alright, some serious, some serious shit’s going on. OK, and look here, this is real. OK, I’m real. It’s me, not AI, not anything. OK? Could AI James do this?” he said in the video.
He then writes his username to prove that it is him and says, "Some serious stuff going on; that’s why I’m contacting you, that’s why I’m doing this. OK? I know, I maybe seem crazy, like, why, what’s going on, what’s the gimmick? No, this is real. Real. OK, I can’t say too much right now. I just need you to follow me, then I’ll know who’s down, and I’m going to show you some crazy stuff. OK? Just follow me, I’m gonna, I’m going to show you.”
Since his first video, he has posted eight videos, all in the same t-shirt and ambiguously claiming that something "serious" is happening.
Initially, users on the social media platform were confused, however there has been speculation that Franco's bizarre videos are an attempt to promote a new film.
One commenter suggested, "Its a movie promo!!! Heck yea!!! Just go look at who hes following! The sunshine movie! Im ready for it," and another said "Y’all do realize this is more than likely just promotion marketing for something new that he has coming out right?"
So far, nothing has been confirmed and it's difficult to tell if Franco is having a breakdown or taking on a new acting role.
In other news, last year Seth Rogan revealed that his friendship with Franco was over and that "it wasn't really on my radar."
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Rogan reflected on when the allegations first came out in 2018, and he said that he would continue to work with Franco. He said: "I also look back to that interview in 2018 where I comment that I would keep working with James, and the truth is that I have not and I do not plan to right now,” while he added that the allegations “changed many things in our relationship and our dynamic.”
He was asked if the situation was painful for him, he said “Yeah. But not as painful and difficult as it is for a lot of other people involved. I have no pity for myself in this situation.”
