Monday, May 18

• Eminem to Appear in Funny People

  With his career on the resurgence, rapper Eminem told VIBE magazine that 8 Mile is not the end of his involvement with the movie business:

  Will I end up doing another movie again? Probably yeah. I just did a cameo a few months ago with Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen in a Judd Apatow produced film. It's called Funny People.I kinda do a little cameo in that which was fun by the way. And 8 Mile was not a fun movie to shoot.

  Eminem won't be the only musician to appear in Funny People, with Bruce Springsteen also making a cameo.

  Here's the synopsis of Funny People, according to IMDB:

  When seasoned comedian George Simmons (Sandler) learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship cause him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act.

  
  
  

  Reelz Clip

  Adam Sandler & Seth Rogen Star - Releasing July 31, 2009

  Posted 05/18/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Adam Sandler | Bruce Springsteen | Eminem | Seth Rogen | 8 Mile | Funny People

Wednesday, April 8

• Anna Faris Stuns at Observe and Report Premiere

  The co-star of Seth Rogen's latest vehicle, Observe and Report, Anna Faris turned heads at last night's premiere in Los Angeles. An actress since the age of 9, Faris has appeared in more than a dozen feature films, including the four Scary Movie movies, and with two comedic performances alongside Ryan Reynolds in Waiting and Just Friends. Faris appeared in several episodes during the final season of Friends and she received wider recognition as an actress following her appearnce in Brokeback Mountain.

  Written and directed by Jody Hill, Observe and Report also stars Ray Liotta (Revolver) and features an appearance by up-and-coming comedic actor Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down). While superficially similar to Kevin James' latest project, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Observe and Report has been described as a darker, more mature film, with Rogen commenting:

  They're totally different movies.

  Observe and Report synopsis courtesy of Warner Bros.:

  At the Forest Ridge Mall, Head of security Ronnie Barnhardt (SETH ROGEN) patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist. The master of his domain, he combats skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun.

  Ronnie's delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven by his personal duty to protect and serve the mall and its patrons, Ronnie seizes the opportunity to showcase his underappreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale, hoping his solution to the crime will earn him a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive girl Brandi (ANNA FARIS), the hot makeup counter clerk who won't give him the time of day.

  But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with the equally competitive Detective Harrison (RAY LIOTTA) of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops do.

  
  
  Next Showing: Observe and Report opens Friday, April 10

  Posted 04/08/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Anna Faris | Ray Liotta | Danny McBride | Seth Rogen | Jody Hill | Tropic Thunder | Scary Movie | Just Friends | Waiting ... | Pineapple Express

Wednesday, April 1

• Seth Rogen Will Play Steve Rogers in Captain America Film

  In a recent interview with Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel, it was revealed that Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express, Observe and Report) would be playing the role of Steve Rogers, the Army reject who is turned into the "Star-Spangled Avenger" through the ingestion of a "Super Soldier Serum," in the upcoming live-action First Avenger: Captain America film.

  This is not the first time that Rogen's name has popped up in association with a superhero genre film. His name has been attached to the live-action Green Hornet project for years now, with production set to begin in June of this year.

  Said Maisel:

  Seth Rogen is today's 'everyman,' someone that we can all relate to. He has a strength of character only hinted at in his previous roles.

  Maisel explained that Rogen had been chosen to play the character of Steve Rogers before he becomes Captain America and that it had not yet been decided whether an altogether different actor would be playing the post-powered Steve Rogers or whether CGI techniques, such as those used on Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, would be used to "beef up" the portly actor.

  Sony and Marvel Studios are coming on strong in 2011, with three superhero genre films slated for release. Last month, it was announced that Spider-Man 4 would be released on May 6th, with Thor following shortly thereafter on June 17th, and First Avenger: Captain America debuting July 22nd. These release dates resulted in the pushing back of The Avengers July 15, 2011, opening to May 4, 2012.

  Happy April Fool's Day!

  
  
  Next Showing: First Avenger: Captain America debuts July 22, 2011

  Posted 04/01/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet | Observe and Report | Pineapple Express | First Avenger: Captain America

Thursday, March 26

• Seth Rogen Updates The Green Hornet

  Everybody's favorite fat guy, Seth Rogan is slimming down and getting serious about The Green Hornet -- his first comic book movie. And he's given an update on its progress to SuperheroHype.com.

  On the start date:

  Right now the end of June. That is our tentative start date.

  About Stephen Chow's involvement:

  He's kind of our mascot. (laughs) He may be Kato. I'm not 100% sure if that's the case, but it's a very likely possibility. I'm not sure. Honestly, we're kind of in the very early phases right now. We're just putting those elements in place so I'm being honest. I honestly don't know yet.

  On sticking to the The Green Hornet's origins:

  He's actually the Lone Ranger's grandnephew. The Lone Ranger is owned by Jerry Bruckheimer so that probably limits the amount of involvement we can actually have in that movie. We were inspired by the original. We kind of took what we thought was good and left what we didn't. Honestly, we didn't feel any real obligation living up to the original because the radio plays totally different than the TV show which is different than the comic book. There is no real set way.

  
  

  Posted 03/26/2009 by Jim

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Wednesday, February 25

• Gondry's A Go On The Green Hornet

  Columbia has hired Michel Gondry to direct The Green Hornet, a big-screen version of the 1930s radio show and 1960s TV show. Seth Rogen, who wrote the script with Evan Goldberg, is set to star as the Green Hornet, and Stephen Chow will play his sidekick, Kato.

  Chow (Kung Fu Hustle) was originally set to direct the movie himself, but he had some "creative differences" with Columbia suits. Gondry apparently wowed studio execs with his vision for the film, and it will be interesting to see how the kooky French director tackles such commercial fare. Let's just hope everyone knows what they're getting into and it doesn't turn into another Where the Wild Things Are, if and when the studio doesn't get a super-commercial picture out of indie director.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Green Hornet opens June 25, 2010

  Posted 02/25/2009 by Hailey

  Related: Michel Gondry | Seth Rogen | Stephen Chow | The Green Hornet | Where the Wild Things Are

Friday, December 19

• Chow Dumps Directing The Green Hornet, but Will Still be Kato

  Kung Fu Hustle actor/director Stephen Chow has left the director's chair due to "creative differences." Now there's a new one!

  He had signed on in September to direct and star as Kato, the role originated in the TV series by Bruce Lee. Although, Variety says that he's not leaving the project altogether, and will still portray the side-kicking side-kick.

  Earlier comments from star Seth Rogen made it sound as though Chow was close to convincing him into making the picture more comedic -- something that comic book movie fans feared. Whether or not this was the catalyst behind his losing the helm, the article does not say.

  Written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the studio is now "hustling" to find a new director to keep on schedule -- planning to begin production in spring 2009.

  
  

  Posted 12/19/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | Evan Goldberg | The Green Hornet

Friday, November 14

• Seth Rogen is the New Janeane Garofalo

  Ten years ago, cute but chubby comedian Janeane Garofalo famously lost weight in an effort to get better roles, then spent countless interviews beating herself up for scarfing down Hollywood's twisted values so willingly. Now, it's cute but chubby comedian Seth Rogen, who has famously lost weight for his role as a superhero in The Green Hornet who's filled with low-cal self-loathing for his new skinnier self: "I feel okay. No, I actually feel a little worse about myself. I feel like I would make fun of me. Like if I were just a guy who saw me on TV I'd be like, 'What did Seth Rogen do? He lost weight. What a sell-out.' I feel lame talking about what I eat now. I'm the type of guy who talks about his diet. What is that about? That's just like the lamest thing ever, I think (laughter). I hate what it has turned me into."

  
  

  Posted 11/14/2008 by reelz

  Related: Janeane Garofalo | Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Tuesday, November 4

• Monsters vs. Aliens Trailer Pops Up Early

  The trailer for Dreamworks/Paramount's Monsters vs. Aliens doesn't officially release until Thursday, but it has popped up a few days early on numerous sites around the web. Many have already been taken down, but if you head over to movie-list quickly, you might still catch it before it's gone.

  The campy sci-fi animated flick looks pretty amusing, opening with a man going through a series of invasive scans before being admitted into a high security government war room. The scan locations include both elbows and even his bum.

  MVA pays homage to the sci-fi movies of the '50s and '60s, from aliens and mad scientists to The Blob and Loch Ness monster . The voice cast includes Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Will Arnett and Paul Rudd. It will release in late March 2009 in both 3-D IMAX and standard theaters.

  
  

  Posted 11/04/2008 by reelz

  Related: Reese Witherspoon | Seth Rogen | Monsters vs. Aliens

Friday, September 19

• Chow Joins The Green Hornet as Director, Sidekick

  Setting the stage for what could potentially result in any number of on-set feuds, Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer) has signed on for double-duty on Seth Rogen's big-screen adaptation of The Green Hornet, agreeing to both direct the film and co-star as the title character's sidekick, Kato. Chow isn't the only person on the project wearing more than one hat; in addition to playing the lead role, Rogen is also the film's co-writer (along with Superbad buddy Evan Goldberg) and executive producer.

  Which raises questions about how conflicts on the set of The Green Hornet might be solved. What will happen when, say, Rogen arrives on set to find that the normally reserved Kato suddenly has more lines than his boss? Or when Chow objects to Rogen's many ad-libs referring to his sidekick by the impromptu nickname "Evan?"

  It should make for an interesting shoot indeed.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Green Hornet opens June 25, 2010.

  Posted 09/19/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Tuesday, August 5

• Seth Rogen: Superhero

  Perhaps in an effort to show that he really is superhero material, a surprisingly well-groomed Seth Rogen long-jumped into a swimming pool on The Late Show last night. And since he didn't drown, didn't appear to break any bones, and remained airborne for at least three seconds, we feel confident that he will indeed make a convincing crimefighter in his upcoming role as the Green Hornet. At least if he, as the movie's co-writer, limits the action to mostly jumping in swimming pools. And keeps the pools shark-free.

  
  

  Posted 08/05/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Saturday, July 26

• New Info on Green Hornet and The Wolf Man Footage Revealed at Comic-Con.

  

  Fresh from Comic-Con are precious few details surrounding Green Hornet, as provided by Seth Rogen.

  Also present at Comic-Con were Benicio Del Toro and co-star Emily Blunt, showing off new footage of the upcoming old-school thriller, The Wolf Man

  
  

  Posted 07/26/2008 by reelz

  Related: Benicio Del Toro | Emily Blunt | Seth Rogen | The Wolfman | The Green Hornet

Monday, June 30

• Seth Rogen, Mall Cop

  There are "independent" films -- those produced by the Weinsteins of the world and packed with A-list actors working for scale. Then there are independent films -- those financed with maxed-out credit cards and completed by sheer force of will.

  Jody Hill's comedy gem The Foot Fist Way belongs decidedly in the latter category, and while the film didn't necessarily shatter any box office records in its brief theatrical release, it did manage to net for its Concord, North Carolina-bred writer/director an array of prominent Hollywood admirers, chief among them the Talladega Nights and Step Brothers superduo of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.

  For his first studio release, Observe and Report, Hill managed to nab none other than emerging comedy heavyweight Seth Rogen, star of Knocked Up, Superbad and the upcoming Pineapple Express, to play the lead as a delusional, overzealous mall cop on the trail of an elusive streaker.

  With visions of a potential McKay/Ferrell-esque partnership dancing in my head, I traveled to Observe and Report's Albuquerque, New Mexico set on an oppressively hot Tuesday a few weeks ago to get a glimpse of the comedy gold that a collaboration between Rogen and Hill might yield. And I got that -- but I got more. A lot more. 

  Come back soon for a comprehensive writeup of my Observe and Report set visit, featuring in-depth interviews with Rogen, Hill, producer Donald De Line (who happens to be developing a little flick called Green Lantern), and co-stars Ray Liotta and Michael Pena.

  More importantly, I'll furnish a detailed recap of my very own acting debut in the film -- in a short yet memorable cameo as an alternative-lifestyled mall patron shopping for fashionable storage containers with my disheveled life partner.

  I'm pretty sure that's how Olivier got started.

  
  

  Posted 06/30/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | Jody Hill | Observe and Report

Wednesday, June 11

• Seth Rogen to Face the Apocalypse

  Seth Rogen and Knocked Up co-star Jay Baruchel are reuniting for more comic mayhem in a new action comedy entitled Jay and Seth vs the Apocalypse. The movie is based on a short by Seth Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg (Superbad), who will be writing the script together.

  Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse should start shooting next year. You can check out the original short right here.
  

  Source: Variety.

  
  

  Posted 06/11/2008 by reelz

  Related: Jay Baruchel | Seth Rogen | Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse

Thursday, June 5

• Green Hornet to be $70-100 Million Action Flick, Says Rogen

  Seth Rogen took time out from shooting his new comedy Observe and Report (working title) on Tuesday to spill details aplenty regarding his forthcoming Green Hornet flick, which was recently given the green light by Sony. Rogen and Superbad/Pineapple Express writing partner Evan Goldberg turned in a first draft of the script about three weeks ago and are currently at work on a second.

  Rogen said his version of The Green Hornet won't be a parody, but "a very intense action movie" with comedic elements. "It's the quintessential story about a hero and his sidekick," he added, while emphatically assuring us that it won't be another Batman & Robin. Ideally, he sees the movie's budget in the $70 to $100 million range.

  The short-lived '60s Green Hornet TV series is known primarily for introducing American audiences to a young Bruce Lee, who played the Hornet's badass chauffer/sidekick Kato. As for his own Kato, Rogen is eyeing Kung Fu Hustle star Stephen Chow.

  The Green Hornet is currently slated for a June 2010 release.

  
  

  Posted 06/05/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Thursday, December 13

• Apatow: Brad Pitt the inspiration for Pineapple Express 

  Does next summer's Seth Rogen/James Franco buddy flick Pineapple Express, dubbed a "reefer action comedy" by producer Judd Apatow, have the potential to rank among the greatest stoner flicks of all time? It's not an impossible feat, considering the "competition" consists of such timeless classics as Half Baked and Dude, Where's My Car?

  What can fans expect from the latest Rogen/Apatow collaboration? In an exclusive interview with ReelzChannel.com last week, the red-hot writer-director-producer revealed the inspiration for Pineapple Express: 

  "Years and years ago I watched True Romance and I thought Brad Pitt was so funny as a character who was on crack or meth, and it was only one scene," Apatow recalled. "And I thought, 'I wish this movie followed him out the door.' I thought it would be great to do one of those pot movies, but with the action of a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, that looked really good and was also filled with people who were stoned."

  Apatow describes the finished product as "this really demented movie that's in the school of Superbad, but also has an enormous amount of action and violence."

  Skeptical? Check out the hilarious, definitely R-rated clip from Pineapple Express over at JoBlo.com -- and believe.

  
  
  Next Showing: Pineapple Express is slated for an August 8, 2008 release

  Posted 12/13/2007 by reelz

  Related: Judd Apatow | James Franco | Seth Rogen | Pineapple Express

Sunday, November 18

• Movie news: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl & Kristen Stewart

  Seth Rogen is the newest member to join Kevin Smith's fold. The star of Knocked Up and Superbad has been cast as the lead in Smith's upcoming comedy, Zack & Miri Make a Porno, opposite The 40-Year-Old Virgin costar Elizabeth Banks, as two friends who make a porn to alleviate debt and discover they have feelings for each other.

  Rogen's Knocked Up costar Katherine Heigl also has a deal going this week. Heigl has signed to star in The Ugly Truth, a romantic comedy about a morning show producer who is tested by her chauvinistic correspondent's theories on love. Robert Luketic (Legally Blond, Monster-in-Law) will direct.

  And finally Kristen Stewart will star in Twilight, a thriller/romance adapted from Stephanie Meyer's novel about a young girl's relationship with a mysterious classmate when she moves to a small town. Catherine Hardwicke (The Nativity Story) will direct.

  Source: Variety. 

  
  

  Posted 11/18/2007 by reelz

  Related: Kevin Smith | Catherine Hardwicke | Robert Luketic | Seth Rogen | Kristen Stewart | Katherine Heigl | The Ugly Truth | Twilight | Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Tuesday, July 24

• Knocked Up boosts business in an unlikely area

  Anyone who has seen Knocked Up knows that Seth Rogen and is band of slacker buddies' dream of building a website with images of Hollywood nude scenes is ruined when that they've been beaten to the punch by Mr.Skin.com.

  What you may not realize is how much Mr. Skin's website benefitted from its mention in the movie.  Mr.Skin.com experienced a 35% increase in new traffic during June (the month that Knocked Up hit theaters). That's a total of 2.9 million unique visitors.

  Not that the site wasn't doing well already--Mr.Skin grossed $5.3 million in 2006. But it looks like tickling Judd Apatow's funnybone is beneficial in more ways than one.

  Source: The New York Times

  
  

  Posted 07/24/2007 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | Knocked Up

Thursday, July 19

• Seth Rogen going Green

  Knocked Up star Seth Rogen has signed on with Columbia Pictures to write and "likely" star in a big-screen adaptation of The Green Hornet, The Los Angeles Times reports.

  If and when Rogen's version of The Green Hornet makes it to the big screen, it will be quite an accomplishment for the Judd Apatow protege. Hollywood's been trying to get a Hornet film made for years without any success, despite the apparently insatiable consumer demand for comic book-related properties. Most recently, Clerks director Kevin Smith was attached to write and direct for Miramax, but the project went nowhere and Smith eventually moved on. 

  The Green Hornet began as a radio show in the '30s, chronicling the adventures of Britt Reid, a wealthy newspaper publisher by day and costumed crime-fighter at night. The character eventually branched out to other media, including film, television and comic books, with varying degrees of success. The short-lived '60s TV series is notable for introducing American audiences to a young Bruce Lee, who played the Hornet's badass sidekick Kato.

  Columbia is said to be hoping for a 2009 release for The Green Hornet.

  
  

  Posted 07/19/2007 by reelz

  Related: Kevin Smith | Seth Rogen | Knocked Up

Thursday, May 24

• Seth Rogen talks Superbad

  At a recent press junket for Knocked Up, its star, Seth Rogen gave a little taste of what he's got in store with his next movie, the long-awaited Superbad.

  "I think it just kind of was born out of a desire to see teen characters that are a lot like what [co-writer Evan Goldberg and I] were like when we were in high school," said Rogen.

  He and Goldberg started writing the comedy, about two high school social rejects who go to a graduation party and impress their crushes, when they were just 14.

  "We were teenagers in Vancouver. There was no real implication that it would ever get made into anything, it was just to amuse ourselves," the self-deprecating actor explained. "Unfortunately, really filthy filthy jokes is what amuses us, so that's what we wrote."

  Rogen says Superbad is a return to movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, because it shows things like, in the MPAA's words "pervasive crude and sexual content, strong language, drinking, some drug use and a fantasy/comic violent image - all involving teens."

  Sounds awesome.

  
  
  Next Showing: Superbad hits theaters August 17, 2007.
  

  Knocked Up trailer

  Starring Seth Rogen

  Posted 05/24/2007 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | Evan Goldberg | Knocked Up | Superbad

Saturday, May 19

• Get Knocked Up online

  To get fans amped up for their upcoming summer blockbuster Knocked Up (aka Judd Apatow's follow up to The 40-Year-Old Virgin), our friends at Universal have put together quite a fancy website.

  The Knocked Up website has all sorts of features for fans who just can't wait for the movie to reach full term, including The Edit Bay (additional movie clips, deleted scenes, Apatow's Director's Video Diary, etc.), Freebies (a free ticket to Knocked Up for those who buy the all-new unrated Double Your Pleasure edition of The 40-Year-Old Virgin), and more.

  My favorite? Easily the Knocked Up Baby-Maker. You just upload pix of you and whomever you want and it will whip you up a potential future baby. It's very easy. I took a stab at it with a picture of my husband and myself, and suffice it to say, I will be filing for divorce in the morning.

  You can visit the Knocked Up website at KnockedUpMovie.com.

  
  
  Next Showing: Knocked Up is due in theaters June 1, 2007.
  

  Knocked Up trailer

  From the director of The 40 Year Old Virgin.

  Posted 05/19/2007 by reelz

  Related: Judd Apatow | Seth Rogen | Katherine Heigl | Knocked Up