Seth Rogen recently shared a fascinating tidbit from the making of Superbad, revealing that Sony had serious reservations about Jonah Hill’s character interacting with one of their products. The studio objected to Hill’s character, Seth, using a PlayStation 2 in a particular scene, deeming him too “reprehensible” to be associated with their brand. This revelation shed light on the sometimes absurd world of studio notes and the surprisingly personal nature of certain decisions during filmmaking.
The Reprehensible Character and Sony’s Request
In a recent conversation with RottenTomatoes at the SXSW premiere of his Apple TV+ series The Studio, Rogen recounted how Sony had specifically requested that Hill’s character refrain from using a PlayStation 2. The reason? According to the studio, Seth was too “vile a character” to interact with their product. Rogen, laughing at the absurdity of it all, noted that he took the studio’s objection personally, especially since the character was, in fact, based on his own teenage experiences.
The request from Sony was a clear example of how studio executives sometimes take extreme measures to control the image of their products, even in comedic contexts. Rogen was clearly surprised by the studio’s stance, particularly because Superbad was meant to be a reflection of his and Evan Goldberg’s own high school years. The note was a bizarre intersection of brand image and character integrity that many filmmakers might have brushed off, but for Rogen, it felt like an insult.
Despite the unusual request, the production team ultimately accommodated Sony’s wishes, adjusting the scene so that Jonah Hill’s character no longer interacted with the PlayStation. However, Michael Cera’s character, Evan, still plays a video game on the PlayStation 2 in an earlier scene, showing how the studio’s demand was, in the end, a bit of a compromise that didn’t fully impact the overall feel of the film.
A Teen Comedy Based on Real-Life Experiences
The story behind Superbad is just as hilarious as the movie itself. Co-written by Rogen and his longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg, the film was loosely based on their own teenage years in the 1990s. The screenplay, born from their shared high school experiences, translated into one of the most beloved teen comedies of the 2000s. Jonah Hill’s portrayal of Seth, a character inspired by Rogen himself, became one of the defining roles of Hill’s early career.
Rogen and Goldberg infused Superbad with a realness that resonated with audiences, capturing the awkwardness and chaos of teenage life. But as Rogen’s anecdote illustrates, this authenticity was sometimes at odds with the demands of the business side of filmmaking. What may have seemed like a minor detail—whether or not Seth could use a PlayStation—became an example of how product placement and studio influence can sometimes interfere with creative expression.
Though the scene involving the PlayStation was altered to accommodate Sony’s concerns, it didn’t diminish the film’s overall charm or its ability to reflect the essence of Rogen and Goldberg’s youth. In the end, the film still resonated with fans and became an enduring classic, despite the interference of corporate interests.
The Enduring Legacy of Superbad and the Sequel That Never Was
As Superbad celebrates its 15th anniversary, the film’s legacy continues to grow, thanks in part to its memorable characters and hilarious, yet heartfelt, portrayal of adolescence. In a retrospective of the film, producer Judd Apatow shared his longstanding desire for a sequel. Apatow envisioned a college setting, where Jonah Hill’s character flunks out of school and visits Michael Cera’s character, Evan. However, Hill had other ideas, joking that it would be better to revisit the characters in their later years, when they were in their 70s or 80s.
The idea of a Superbad sequel in college certainly had potential, especially considering the chemistry between Hill and Cera. Yet, it’s clear that part of the magic of Superbad lies in its authenticity to the high school experience, a time in life that feels too precious to revisit in a way that wouldn’t be true to the original film’s spirit. Hill’s suggestion to wait until their characters were much older may seem like a playful twist, but it also underscores how the film captured a specific, fleeting moment of youth that may never be the same again.
Ultimately, Superbad remains a standout in teen comedy history, thanks to its raw humor, memorable performances, and the personal stories that inspired it. While a sequel may never materialize, the original film continues to stand the test of time, offering a relatable and laugh-out-loud look at the awkwardness of adolescence—PlayStation drama aside.