James Franco explained how his life is changing these days after being “outcast” from Hollywood.

Once a staple in the film world with films like The interview, why him?, 127 hours And Pineapple Express, The 46-year-old took a “break” from acting following a lawsuit in 2019.

Formerly part of an iconic duo with Seth Rogen, he became quite distant from his co-star after sexual misconduct allegations against him in 2018.

At the time, Franco called the allegations “not true,” but added that he didn’t want to “eliminate” those who “had no voice.”

He ultimately agreed to pay $2.23 million (£1.67 million) to settle a lawsuit brought by two former students of his now-defunct film school Studio 4.

James Franco has returned from his “break” (Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

Franco returns from this break from acting and appears in Hello Joe after being “expelled” from Hollywood.

When asked by Variety if he thought that was “unfair,” he said, “I mean, it is what it is. I honestly got over it. It was clarified and I was able to change.

“So that’s it, it’s over. I mean, I worked in the US too. So I just try to keep going.”

In the interview, the disgraced actor said he took a “break,” experienced “changing priorities” and is now looking for other things to “fulfill himself in life.”

“Ultimately, I think I’m kind of grateful because it gave me a chance to just do my personal work and really change what I need to change,” Franco said.

“Now that I’m working, I can just be there for the project. It’s not about me trying to fill a gap with work, it’s just about, ‘Wow, I have a really great life.’

He was accused of sexual misconduct (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)

In December 2021, Franco admitted during an appearance on the television series ” The Jess Cagle Podcast.

He said, “That was wrong,” but “that wasn’t a master plan on my part.” And as he reiterated above, the actor is reportedly grateful for his comedown following the very serious allegations that he behaved inappropriately.

“It’s painful when I’m told you’re unwell,” he said. “But in the end, it was exactly what I needed to just stop going the way I was going.”

While Variety says the US essentially “cancelled” him, Franco says he used it for a “good cause.”

“And whatever was going on with me before, I had to change my whole way of life,” he added. “That’s why I’m proud of the kind of work I’ve done during this time. And yes, I haven’t worked in films, but I’ve definitely worked a lot on changing myself.”