Franco denies allegations
But actor/director ‘completely supports’ victims having voice
NEW YORK — Facing accusations by an actress and a filmmaker over alleged sexual misconduct, James Franco said the things he’s heard aren’t accurate but he supports people coming out “because they didn’t have a voice for so long.”
Franco’s appearance Tuesday with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show came hours after The New York Times cancelled a public event scheduled Wednesday that was intended to feature the Disaster Artist director and star and his brother and co-star, Dave Franco, discussing the film with a Times reporter.
The Times said it had cancelled the event “given the controversy surrounding recent allegations.”
After Franco won a best actor Golden Globe on Sunday night, actress Violet Paley accused him on Twitter of sexual misconduct. Filmmaker Sarah Tither-Kaplan questioned Franco wearing a #TimesUp pin during the awards ceremony in a tweet about him having her do a nude scene for $100 per day.
Franco said he supports the #TimesUp movement against sexual harassment and for gender equality. He said “if there’s restitution to be made, I will make it.”
“I pride myself on taking responsibility for things that I have done,” Franco told Colbert. “The things that I heard that were on Twitter are not accurate, but I completely support people coming out and being able to have a voice because they didn’t have a voice for so long. So I don’t want to shut them down in any way. I think that it’s a good thing and I support it.
“I’m here to listen and learn and change my perspective where it’s off, and I’m completely willing and want to.”
Actress Ally Sheedy also tweet- ed during the Globes that Franco was an example of why she left the film and television business, but she later removed that message. Sheedy worked with Franco on an off-Broadway play in 2014, but Franco told Colbert he had no idea what he did to Sheedy and had “nothing but a great time with her.”
Franco attended the National Board of Review Awards gala in New York City on Tuesday to present his film’s adapted screenplay award. He didn’t comment on the allegations.