Sundance: James Franco Responds to ‘Interview’ Controversy, Urges Protection of “Artistic Freedom”

The controversy over The Interview may have died down, but star James Franco says there needs to be more resolution when it comes to protecting artistic freedom.

The actor, who is at Sundance in support of the film I Am Michael, recently stopped by The Hollywood Reporter’s photo and video lounge, sponsored by American Airlines, at Rock and Reilly’s on Main Street.

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“A lot of people were taken off guard by what happened,” he said of the Sony hack and subsequent decision to yank the movie from theaters following threats of a Christmas Day attack. “Even the industry press had some very strange reactions to it.”

He added: “It’s still up in the air about how this should be dealt with and how we deal with it in a responsible way, in a way that protects artistic freedom. … Everybody agrees that that is something we all value, and we should protect, but how we do that is what’s in question, how we do that best. But I’m glad the president has James Flacco’s back.”

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That last quip was in reference to President Obama’s flub of Franco’s name during a news conference in December.

Watch the conversation with Franco and his co-stars above and check out more Sundance videos here.