Seth Rogen Says Superbad Would Never Be Made Today Because of the Risks

Seth Rogen says the kind of studio system that helped make Superbad would be unlikely to exist in Hollywood today, arguing that the industry has become far more risk-averse and reliant on prepackaged projects with recognizable stars and filmmakers attached.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, the writer, actor and producer said that when Superbad was made in 2007, the process was much simpler. According to Rogen, the script was bought, a budget and release plan were set, a director was found, the cast was assembled, and the film was made on the studio’s schedule. He said that approach “would never happen today,” because no major studio would commit to a project so early without more pieces already in place.

Rogen argued that modern Hollywood now wants many of those elements secured before approving a film. In his view, executives increasingly want to know who is directing, who is starring, and whether those people are famous enough to reduce financial risk. He said the industry often prioritizes names that are expected to draw money rather than the performers who may be best suited to a role. While he acknowledged that the funniest or most fitting actors may still end up in a movie, he said the path to get there is now much more complicated because studios are trying to minimize uncertainty.

He contrasted that mindset with former Sony executive Amy Pascal, whom he described as someone who believed that making the best version of a movie would also lead to the strongest financial result. Rogen suggested that this kind of confidence is less common in today’s studio environment, where caution and commercial calculations play a bigger role in decision-making.

The Pineapple Express co-writer also pointed to recent box office success for horror films such as Obsession and Backrooms, both made by young creators who built audiences online, as evidence that unconventional talent can still break through. He said this aligns with advice he has been giving for years and noted that he had met with Backrooms director Kane Parsons, who was 20 years old, several years ago.

Despite his criticism of Hollywood’s current approach, Rogen said the industry is always changing and that big shifts happen every few years. He described it as a volatile business with constant movement, adding that he prefers to stay focused on his own creative work while remaining aware of broader trends. When those shifts line up with his projects, he said, he is willing to adapt and “ride the waves.”

Rogen’s comments reflect a broader debate in entertainment about how studios balance creativity, star power and financial caution, and whether the current system leaves less room for the kind of original comedies that once became major studio releases.