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James Franco sparks concern with bizarre social media posts
Asiya A.
James Franco has sparked concern after appearing in a string of unusual TikTok videos.
The 48-year-old actor, who largely disappeared from mainstream Hollywood following sexual misconduct allegations that emerged in 2018, appears to have launched an account on the social media platform.
In one video, Franco can be seen pacing around a room while wearing a blue shirt bearing the name "Bruce Robinson".
The clip has prompted some viewers to question whether it could be AI-generated, a suggestion the actor directly addresses.
"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, all right, some serious, some serious s**t's going on," he said. "OK, and look here, this is real. OK, I’m real. It’s me, not AI, not anything. OK? Could AI James do this?"
Franco then writes his account name, @jamesfranco2319, on a piece of paper before continuing his message.
"This is me. OK. For those who know. All right. 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," he said.
Online users react to his videos
Despite Franco insisting the videos are genuine and not AI-generated, many viewers were left worried by his behavior.
"Is he okay?" one person asked. Another commented: "James. I’m really worried. You’ve been in the same clothes for a few days now." A third added: "Friend, are you ok? You seems quite confused."
Others were convinced the cryptic videos were part of a promotional campaign, with several speculating Franco could be teasing a movie project called Love Meets In The Sunshine.
"This seriously better not be a movie promo because the hints you’re using are serious. I really really hope you are not using this as a movie promo," one viewer wrote.
Hollywood career derailed by allegations
Franco spent much of the 2000s and 2010s as one of Hollywood's most recognizable stars, appearing in films including Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, Pineapple Express, and 127 Hours.
However, his career was dramatically impacted after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced in 2018.
A lawsuit filed against the actor was later settled out of court in 2021. Franco denied the allegations at the time, though he later discussed them publicly.
Since then, he has remained largely out of the spotlight, making only occasional appearances in lower-budget independent productions while his long-standing friendship with actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen came to an end.
Rogen addresses fractured friendship
The Spring Breakers star's return to social media comes shortly after Rogen was once again asked about the breakdown of their relationship.
The pair first met while starring in the cult television series Freaks and Geeks in 1999 before becoming one of Hollywood's most successful comedy duos, working together on projects including This Is the End, The Interview, and The Disaster Artist.
After Franco admitted to sleeping with students at his acting school, Rogen publicly distanced himself from his longtime collaborator and has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to work with him again.
Speaking to The New York Times earlier this week, the 44-year-old Canadian star acknowledged that the subject remains deeply personal.
"I’m trying to think how much I want to personally share about this," he said. "I honestly think the nuance of it is too personal for me to get into right now. It is a very personal thing.
"There’s the public-facing side of it, which I’ve spoken about, and I have the same stance publicly that I’ve had, and I think the proof is in the pudding – I have not worked with him in years," Rogen continued. "But the personal side of it is just so nuanced, and it involves people that I don’t know if I should be dragging into this.
"I don’t know what I would benefit from getting deeply into it. Nothing has changed since the last time I talked about all this, and I haven’t worked with him in a really long time, and I have no plans to," he added.