James Franco is set to make his comeback in Hollywood years after facing sexual misconduct allegations. The actor is starring in “Love, Lies & Frank,” currently streaming online.
‘Love, Lies & Frank’ marks James Franco’s move into Hollywood’s rapidly growing microdrama space
James Franco stars in “Love, Lies & Frank,” streaming on Shortical. The actor shares the screen with established vertical stars Eric Guilmette and Neela Jolene. Guilmette previously appeared in CEO’s Kansas Sweetheart, while Jolene starred in Cheerleader and the Beast.
According to Variety, Franco plays Jimmy Frank, an eccentric ad agency CEO dealing with unresolved fallout from his past. “Love, Lies & Frank” is directed by Eric Wang Schwager and consists of 51 episodes. Each episode runs for about 19 seconds. The series is among the first microdramas produced under the SAG-AFTRA Verticals Agreement.
The latest series arrives as the industry expands into the fast-moving microdrama space.
“Hollywood is beginning to embrace vertical storytelling in a meaningful way. To see a talent like James Franco headlining an original microdrama is an important milestone for the industry. We at Shortical are proud to be setting the standard by bringing world-class talent, filmmakers, and stories to audiences in an entirely new way proving that premium entertainment can thrive in a mobile-first world,” said Guy Shimoni, CEO of Shortical.
In 2018, five women accused Franco of inappropriate behavior in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. According to the LA Times, some of his former students described his behavior as inappropriate and exploitative. Two former students, Sarah Tither-Kaplan and Toni Gaal, later filed a lawsuit against him in 2019 alleging sexual exploitation. The lawsuit ended in a financial settlement.
Franco, who appeared at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, said he is focusing on a “positive life” following the allegations. He has denied some allegations while also acknowledging that the broader concerns raised by his accusers were important.
His new Shortical project marks another step in his return to acting after years of controversy.
