James Franco said: ‘I had to completely change my lifestyle’ after allegations

James Franco comes to terms with his past.

During an interview with Diversitypublished on Friday, October 25, ahead of his film’s premiere at the Rome Film Festival. Hey Joe Franco, 46 ​​years old, turned to he settled the lawsuit in 2021, after it was accused of sexually inappropriate behavior five women, four of whom were his acting students.

Records obtained by PEOPLE at the time showed that he agreed to pay $2.235 million. in the settlement.

“When they say you’re bad, it hurts,” he said Diversityapparently grateful for the wake-up call. “But ultimately, that’s what I needed to just stop going down the path I was going down.”

“So now, after taking a break and, I guess, changing priorities, I think what I’m striving to accomplish in life is (different),” Franco added about life after the controversy.

His first film to release since 2019 was this year’s French thriller. Money’s Worth: An Adventure with Largo Winch. Although it debuted in France in July, there are currently no plans for an American release.

“Ultimately, I think I’m kind of grateful because it gave me the opportunity to just do any personal work and really change the things that I need to change,” Franco continued. “So now that I’m working, I can just be present on the project. It’s not about me trying to fill some hole with work, it’s just about, “Wow, I really have a great life.” I am very grateful and hope that I can serve whatever project I take on.” »

Rise of the Planet of the Apes the actor also shared what it was like to go from a beloved star to a Hollywood outcast.

“I mean, it is what it is. To be honest, I moved past this. This was dealt with and I had to change. That’s it, it’s over. I mean, I worked in the US too. So I’m just trying to move on,” he said.

Franco’s charges and trial had a lasting impact not only on his career, but also on his friendships.

“I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth we lived 20 wonderful years togetherbut I think it’s over,” he said about his relationship with Seth Rogen.

Rogen and Franco have worked together on projects such as Freaks and Geeks, Pineapple Express, This is the end And Disaster Artist.

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“And not for lack of trying. I told him how much he means to me,” Franco added.

Hello Joe Directed by Claudio Giovannesi.

In the Italian drama, Franco plays “American sailor Dean Barry, 23, (who) lands in Naples in 1944. Dean has feelings for his native Lucia, with whom he has a son. Dean is forced to leave them, but eventually returns to see his family again in a changed city,” according to the story synopsis.