Seth Rogen has weighed in on the long-running theory about why Anne Hathaway quit her role in “Knocked Up.”
Hathaway was set to play a lead role within the classic 2007 comedy alongside the actor, but was eventually replaced by Katherine Heigl. The film ultimately became a business success despite Hathaway’s decision on the time.
Anne Hathaway’s decision to go away “Knocked Up” in 2007 has long remained one in all the film’s biggest behind-the-scenes talking points, particularly since it was no secret that she was originally solid to star before being replaced by Katherine Heigl.
Nearly 20 years later, the film’s lead male actor, Seth Rogen, revisited the topic in a brand new interview on “The A24 Podcast” alongside Olivia Wilde, who also auditioned for the role but ultimately didn’t land the part.
Wilde asked whether the narrative that Hathaway quit over a crowning scene was true, to which Rogen initially answered within the affirmative before barely backtracking, adding, “It might have been 100 million things.”
Nonetheless, he said he remembered being told that the crowning scene was the rationale, describing it as “a troublesome one.”
Rogen Says Hathaway Felt The Scene Was Not Her ‘Brand’
Regarding the crowning scene, Rogen explained what Hathaway specifically took issue with and the way it could have contributed to her decision to go away the film.
“She didn’t want the crowning of the newborn to be visually representative. Regardless that it wasn’t going to be hers… It’s obviously not real. But she didn’t even want…she felt that it was not her brand,” the actor told his co-star and “The Invite” director.
Looking back on the moment, Rogen said he has no plans to query the claim.
“We had began rehearsing the movie… possibly she was similar to, ‘I don’t know if that is for me.’ I don’t know. I’ll take what she said at face value, which was the crowning,” he added.
Seth Rogen Defends Hathaway’s Decision To Leave
In “Knocked Up,” Hathaway was meant to play Alison Scott, an ambitious TV producer who becomes pregnant after a one-night stand with Rogen’s character, Ben Stone.
The role was ultimately played by Heigl, and the film became a business success after its release in the summertime of that yr.
Despite the actress seemingly missing out on the potential accolades that might have include playing the role, Rogen sees it as a matter of fate that she didn’t commit to the film.
“She had a way, and she or he knew it was not for her,” Rogen continued. “And history will tell… she has been right about loads more things than I actually have over time.
“So, I feel she was probably right. [Heigl] knew what was right for her, yes. After which Heigl was great. Katie Heigl was great,” he also noted.
Rogen Earns Praise For ‘The Invite’
Rogen recently returned to the massive screen in Wilde’s film “The Invite,” during which he stars alongside Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton.
His performance as Joe has earned widespread praise from Wilde, who highlighted his emotional depth and comedic strength.
“Seth has this extraordinary ability to ground probably the most outrageously comic scenarios in such honesty. It’s like he has a pact with the audience where he respects them, but won’t ever underestimate their intelligence,” she said.
“He’s type of a comedy scientist who happens to have this deeply personal and emotional connection to the audience. With Seth as Joe, I desired to warm people up with comedy, after which pierce their hearts with grounded emotional honesty,” the actress added.
Seth Rogen Opens Up About Working With Olivia Wilde
For Rogen, starring within the project got here all the way down to Wilde’s vision for the characters.
“When she described what she hoped to do with ‘The Invite,’ I used to be thinking about that collaborative process, developing the characters together over time after which reworking the script based on the brand new ideas that were emerging,” Rogen said of Wilde.
Reflecting further on his experience working with Wilde, Rogen explained what made the collaboration so enjoyable.
“She and I excelled at arguing with one another. Also, I are inclined to thrive comedically in situations where there’s a whole lot of tension and pressure and an underlying doom of some sort, and this was perfect for that,” he shared.