In my humble opinion, this individual seems to have undergone a profound transformation in their life. It appears that they were once engrossed in a workaholic lifestyle, which, looking back, was perhaps more of a youthful pursuit of what they believed a good life to be. However, a series of events led them to re-evaluate their priorities and seek a more spiritually fulfilling and service-oriented existence – the proverbial ‘Second Mountain’.
James Franco is casually seated in the corner of a luxurious hotel lobby on Rome’s Via Veneto, enjoying an Americano coffee. He dons a custom-made chocolate brown hoodie, which he takes pride in, and exudes a laid-back vibe as he flashes his familiar grin.
He’s in the Eternal City for the Rome Film Festival launch of Italian director Claudio Giovannesi’s “Hey Joe.” In the gritty drama, Franco plays Dean, an alcoholic American WWII vet who winds up back in Naples in the early ’70s in search of a son he fathered there before absconding to New Jersey.
The movie marks his return to the film festival circuit since his career pause after a 2019 lawsuit, which was later resolved, accused him of sexually exploiting women who attended his acting class. Over a cup of coffee, Franco and I discuss how his character seeks redemption. Is it possible that Franco himself is also seeking redemption?
Following his rise as a prominent figure in Hollywood, starring in projects like Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” trilogy, Harmony Korine’s “Spring Breakers,” and collaborations with Seth Rogen on films such as “Pineapple Express”, Franco’s career experienced a significant slowdown following a lawsuit. This setback may have also prevented him from receiving his second Oscar nomination, despite winning the Best Actor Golden Globe for 2018’s “The Disaster Artist,” which he himself directed.
On “The Jess Cagle” podcast, held in December 2021, Franco confessed to having romantic relationships with students at his acting school, stating that it was a mistake and not premeditated. However, these actions led to his exclusion from Hollywood, as his latest film, “The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure” (released in France in July), has yet to be released in the United States.
But these days, Franco is thankful for his fall from grace.
He admits that hearing you’re doing wrong hurts, but deep down, it’s precisely that kind of feedback that helped him realize he needed to change his course.
Lately, he’s found inspiration in the self-improvement book “The Second Mountain” by New York Times columnist David Brooks, which suggests that true fulfillment in midlife comes from dedicating oneself to a cause greater than oneself. He notes calmly, “From what I’ve gathered, it seems like that’s the way to live a more satisfying life.” Additionally, he has been creating art and even started a streetwear fashion label in Hollywood with his longtime friend Kyle Lindgren. However, one might wonder about his acting career.
Recently, Franco has teamed up with Tommy Lee Jones for an upcoming U.S. action thriller “The Razor’s Edge” (currently in post-production). However, a film titled “Alina of Cuba,” based on a book by Fidel Castro’s daughter and initially planned to star Franco as the communist leader, seems to be delayed. He admitted he’s unsure about its release. Additionally, Franco worked on a serial killer thriller in Portland with Vincent Gallo called “The Policeman.” There have been disputes over the final cut of this film, leaving Franco uncertain about its future. Furthermore, the Bille August-directed drama “Me, You,” where he was to act alongside Tom Hollander and Daisy Jacob, has unfortunately fallen apart for both parties.
In an open and hour-long discussion, Franco talked to EbMaster about dealing with the aftermath of his sexual misconduct lawsuit, feeling happy about being in a long-term relationship with actress-director Izabel Pakzad, expressing a desire to direct movies once more, and having disagreements with Seth Rogen.
How did “Hey Joe” come to be?
The movie turned out to be an unexpected gem, as I’ve long admired European cinema and had previously watched Claudio’s films. Additionally, I had crossed paths with screenwriter Maurizio Braucci through director Pietro Marcello [“Martin Eden”]. Then, quite suddenly, I received this opportunity.
As a cinephile, let me tell you, when I heard about “Piranhas,” directed by Claudio Giovannesi, my interest was instantly piqued. Being a fan of Italian cinema, especially his work, made my decision to be a part of this film an easy one. The title, “Hey Joe,” intrigued me further as it meant I would be playing an American in an Italian production. It’s not every day you get such an opportunity, and when I read the script, I knew it was great.
In the movie, you’re speaking Italian, and given your frequent trips to Italy throughout the years, it got me thinking. At some point, you had a close relationship with Frida Giannini, former creative director of Gucci, and were involved in several Gucci projects, even a Gucci documentary. So, I’m curious, where did your Italian come from? Did you study the language or were you already fluent in it?
I didn’t learn Italian while working with Gucci. To be honest, there might have been an opportunity to pick it up back then, but my annual trips to Italy kept me quite occupied with other tasks. In hindsight, I wish I had taken the chance to learn it at that time. However, it wasn’t until recently that I truly started studying Italian. Although I’m still not fluent, I can pull off a convincing performance when playing an underpar American character, especially when I have a coach. This was my first experience acting in a film where the language wasn’t English. It definitely presented a unique challenge.
After a break of approximately four years, these more recent roles, including your part in “The Largo Winch Adventure,” signify your comeback to acting. Since both of these projects are European productions, I’m curious about your feelings about being back and if you ever felt like your career was put on hold or “cancelled” in the U.S.?
Despite having gone through a legal dispute that halted my employment, and with the onset of COVID-19 causing widespread unemployment, I find myself incredibly thankful to be currently employed. It seems we were all navigating similar circumstances during those challenging times, leaving me uncertain about my role and identity at certain points.
During that period, I devoted my time to what I believe were worthwhile endeavors. Regardless of my past circumstances, I felt compelled to undergo a significant transformation in my lifestyle. Consequently, I take great pride in the efforts I made during that time. Admittedly, I wasn’t acting in films, but I was indeed putting in a lot of work to reshape myself.
For approximately eight years prior to a break, my profession was thriving. However, I struggled to find pleasure in it due to my workaholic nature, constantly pushing myself. Even during moments of success – such as well-received films, nominations for awards, or other positive experiences – I couldn’t truly appreciate them because I was always seeking more satisfaction. It was an unusual feeling where I never seemed content with what I had achieved.
So how are things different now?
After taking some time to reflect and possibly reevaluate my priorities, what I’ve come to realize is that my passions and what fulfill me in life [have shifted]. I am thankful for this transition as it has given me the opportunity to focus on personal growth and make necessary changes. Now that I’m back to work, my commitment is solely towards this project. It’s not about replacing a void with work, but rather appreciating the wonderful life I have and wanting to contribute positively to any endeavor I undertake.
Do you feel that your “cancellation” in the U.S. was unfair?
Essentially, I’ve accepted what happened and have already moved forward from it. It has been resolved, and as a result, I’ve experienced change. Therefore, it’s behind me now. To clarify, I’ve also worked in the U.S., so I’m focusing on my future. In other words, I’m eager to leave the past in the past and focus on new opportunities.
Regarding the intense desire for recognition and success in your profession that we’ve been discussing, how did it make you feel when, following the allegations, you weren’t nominated for the best actor award for “The Disaster Artist”?
In essence, I’ve discovered something profound – though it might sound clichéd, this is my genuine take on things. Life often presents you with gifts, yet the method of delivery can be excruciatingly painful. It’s a real struggle, I must admit. Following my impressive performance in “The Disaster Artist,” I was indeed expecting recognition, but alas, it didn’t happen. That setback certainly stung. However, considering the larger perspective I’m referring to, perhaps it was all for the better. After all, who am I to judge?
So what is the older version of yourself like?
The book I’m fond of is titled “The Second Mountain.” Essentially, it explores how our youthful aspirations and attempts to reach them constitute the first mountain. Some individuals spend their entire lives on this first mountain. However, others may find themselves displaced, leaving them with a choice: either return to the first mountain or venture toward the second mountain. The second mountain represents a more spiritually-inclined and service-oriented lifestyle, one that encourages consideration of the greater good and others’ wellbeing. From my understanding, which is drawn from various thinkers, writers, and other sources, this path seems to offer a more rewarding existence. While rejection and criticism can be difficult, they were, in retrospect, necessary for me to alter my course.
How has this way of thinking changed your life?
For quite some time now, I’ve been in the process of recovery, dating back to my teenage years. Despite not experiencing any substance relapses, I must admit that I’ve drifted away from a consistent commitment to my recovery journey. A term for this state is being “dry,” referring to an emotional and spiritual lack. I believe this describes where I was.
I’ve recently decided to devote a significant amount of time and energy to actively participating and helping others. This has been a crucial aspect of my life and has provided me with immense comfort. I prefer not to discuss it extensively, as it seems that recognition or praise can diminish the peace derived from these actions. If one constantly talks about the good deeds they perform, they may miss out on experiencing the tranquility that comes with doing them. Therefore, I haven’t spoken much about it or used social media to promote it. However, this is a significant part of my current lifestyle.
To be honest, my personal life was virtually non-existent; it was almost indistinguishable from my professional commitments. Yet, I had companionship in the form of friends, but their presence often intertwined with my work. However, over the last seven-and-a-half years, I’ve been fortunate enough to embark on a relationship with the talented Izabel Pakzad – an experience I never dared to embrace before due to fear, primarily fear of genuine intimacy with another soul.
Do you have the itch to go back to directing?
I adore being a director, but one valuable lesson I’ve picked up along the way is the importance of patience and recognizing when the perfect moment arrives for things to fall into place. At times, my impulsive side, which yearns for instant gratification, can be quite persistent, demanding “I want it now!” However, I’ve come to realize that I don’t know what awaits me beyond that moment, and there could be something even more extraordinary waiting that I can’t yet perceive. In essence, I strive to lead my life in this manner – though it might sound like common wisdom, it’s truly how I navigate through opportunities. I cherish directing, and I eagerly anticipate the day when the timing is just right for me to direct again.
Are you still in touch with Seth Rogen?
I haven’t spoken with Seth recently. We shared twenty wonderful years, but it seems our relationship has ended. Despite my efforts, it doesn’t seem to work anymore. I’ve expressed to him the profound impact he’s had on my life.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
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2024-10-25 18:48