The seedy underbelly of Hollywood is being exposed.
Predators and deviants like Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey are being uncovered en masse.
Now another Hollywood power player is in the crosshairs for despicable sexual misconduct.
Actor and filmmaker James Franco is now under the microscope for his past abhorrent behavior toward women.
There had been speculation Franco was circling the wagons in preparation for the allegations to come, as he’s already doing damage control.
Franco went on Stephen Colbert’s late nite show for a softball interview, showing just how malleable Hollywood’s principles are.
From Deadline:
James Franco had some things to say about the sexual harassment accusations that were brought up after his Golden Globe win. The Disaster Artist director and actor appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to address the backlash he received on Twitter following the ceremony.
After talking about his film about [The Disaster Artist], his Golden Globe win, giving his impression of Tommy Wiseau, and even bringing his brother on stage, Colbert asked about the Time’s Up pin he was wearing during the ceremony and the criticism he received.
“I do support [Time’s Up],” he started. “I was so excited to win, but being in the room that night was powerful. I support change.”
Franco told Colbert that he was aware of what Ally Sheedy had said. Shortly after his win, Sheedy sent out a vague tweet about Franco’s behavior in the past. The two worked together on the 2014 off-Broadway production of The Long Shrift. To this, Franco said, “I have no idea what I did to Ally Sheedy. I had nothing but a great time with her. I have total respect for her.” He said that they had fun working together and he said he couldn’t speak for her and reiterated that he did not know what he did.
Other women followed Sheedy’s tweet but were less vague. Violet Paley and Sarah Tither Kaplan tweeted out detailed accusations against Franco about inappropriate sexual behavior.
In regards to these tweets, he said, “In my life, I pride myself in taking responsibility for things I’ve done. I have to do that to maintain my well-being. I do it whenever something needs to be changed.” He said that things that were out on Twitter were “not accurate.”
He continued, “I completely support people coming out and being able to have a voice because they haven’t had a voice for so long. I don’t want to shut them down in any way. It’s a good thing I support.
Colbert then asked Franco if there is a way to have discussions about sexual harassment allegations outside of social media. The Late Show host then asked if there was a way to come to what the truth is and come to some reconciliation between people who clearly have different views of things.
“If I have done something wrong, I will fix it — I have to,” said Franco. “That’s how that works. I don’t know what else to do.”
He then concluded by referring to the Time’s Up movement during the Globes, “The point is to listen. I am here to listen and learn and change perspective where it’s off. I’m completely willing and want to.”
The repercussions have already begun for Franco. The New York Times canceled an event featuring him and his brother David.
From The Hollywood Reporter:
The New York Times has canceled James Franco’s TimesTalk, a public conversation moderated by a Times reporter to discuss Franco’s latest film, The Disaster Artist, due to “recent allegations.” The talk was originally scheduled for Wednesday.
The TimesTalk gathering at New York City’s Kaufman Music Center was intended to showcase Franco and his brother Dave’s work in their film The Disaster Artist as well as “their familial bond, behind–the–scenes antics, and how there is more than one way to become a legend,” according to the official event page.
“The event was intended to be a discussion of the making of the film, The Disaster Artist. Given the controversy surrounding recent allegations, we’re no longer comfortable proceeding in that vein,” a Times representative said Tuesday in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
The decision comes two days after Franco won a Golden Globe for portraying filmmaker Tommy Wiseau in The Disaster Artist, which he also directed.
During the Golden Globes telecast, several women accused Franco of sexual misconduct on Twitter. In one tweet, actress Violet Paley claimed that the actor once forced her to perform oral sex on him, and that he had asked one of her friends to “come to your hotel” when she was 17.
Paley later tweeted that Franco had, several weeks prior, apologized over the phone for past conduct to herself and “a few other girls.”
Sarah Tither-Kaplan, a former acting student of Franco’s, also recalled on Twitter what she remembered as an exploitative experience with nude scenes in his films.
Franco was one of the many men in attendance at the Golden Globes ceremony who wore a Time’s Up pin, supporting the anti-sexual harassment project spearheaded by Hollywood women including Kathleen Kennedy and Reese Witherspoon.
Franco has a lot to answer for. His accusers, including high-profile actress Ally Sheedy, appear to be credible.
If the allegations continue to pour in, time may be up for Franco.