James Franco confirms first role after being ‘cast out’ of Hollywood
After being kicked out of Hollywood for a number of allegations against women, James Franco has been named in a big franchise’s prequel.
The Pineapple Express actor first revealed he had something in the works after attending the French film festival to see the screening of The Electric Kiss.
The 48-year-old told Deadline explained that it was true he had landed a role for the first time in a long time, and that it ‘won’t be ready for this summer,’ but could be primed for release at the ‘end of this year or spring-summer 2027.’
As his first 'studio picture' since 2017's The Disaster Artist, this marks his return to the entertainment business after his 2018 scandal.
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Led by the Los Angeles Times, an article accusing Franco of sexual misconduct was published, with five former students from his acting school accusing the actor of sexually inappropriate behaviour.
Then, in 2019, he was sued by two former students, with the case being settled out of court two years later.
That same year, he appeared on the Jess Cagle Podcast, saying it ‘was wrong’ of him to sleep with the women, adding: "I suppose at the time, my thinking was: If it's consensual, it's okay."
Now, it appears he’s coming back to the big screen to feature in a major motion picture: John Rambo.
The film, which was revealed to Variety, that Franco will play the role of a villain in the film, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’s Noah Centineo is due to apparently play Rambo and David Harbour will be Rambo’s commanding officer, Major Trautman.
The outlet reports it is produced and distributed by Lionsgate, making it no small indie flick.
It also prequels Sylvester Stallone’s 1992 First Blood film, which sees Rambo take on the National Guard in the first installment of the franchise.
Cannes marks one of the few times the actor has been out and about, as throughout his controversial time in Hollywood circa 2018, however, Franco has been seldom seen.
In the past, he had previously experienced a brief career pick up after his first major scandal – an incident in 2014 where he admitted to ‘chatting-up’ a 17-year-old.
At the time, the girl had posted their communications which showed him trying to meet her in a hotel room, even after being told she was 17.
After this, Franco starred in the likes of True Story in 2015 and Why Him? The following year.
He’s also been in films like The Institute, In Dubious Battle, and Future World between his first and last scandals.
But he didn’t reach the heights he previously had seen in Spider-Man, Pineapple Express, or James Dean.
As for reactions to his role, people have been left perplexed.
One person wrote: "How does he still have a career?"
Another commented: "That’s an unexpected casting choice for the Rambo prequel… didn’t see Franco coming back to a big studio project like this."
But others have been excited to see him on-screen, with a fan writing: "Franco as the villain in young Rambo's origin? Stallone producing this... hype is real!"
Topics: James Franco, Celebrity, Entertainment
Britt Jones