12 Years Ago, Seth Rogen Made a Perfect Prequel to ‘The Studio’
It took Seth Rogen more than a decade and an apocalypse survival in a 2013 all-star fantasy comedy to eventually bring us Apple TV+’s The Studio. Here’s why you should add this movie to your watchlist right after finishing The Studio’s season 1.
If you ever had a thought about The Studio being a genius comedy series made in heaven, you’re probably right — that’s where Seth Rogen seemingly came down from after starring in a hit comedy with The Studio’s vibe.
Years before helming Apple TV+’s current biggest hit, Rogen also portrayed himself in his own directorial work full of other big stars too.
Before Becoming ‘The Studio’s Big Boss, Seth Rogen Survived an Apocalypse in ‘This Is the End’
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A movie that might be the best suggestion for those missing all the chaos in The Studio right now, This Is the End is a star-studded meta apocalyptic comedy film directed and co-written by Seth Rogen, with the participation from The Studio’s co-creator Evan Goldberg.
Based on Rogen and Goldberg’s 2007 short movie, This Is The End stars the former as a fictionalised version of himself who, alongside his old friend and fellow Canadian actor Jay Baruchel, visits a wild housewarming party hosted by James Franco.
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With lots of other celebrities like Jonah Hill and Michael Cera in attendance, Baruchel gets uncomfortable in a crowded space, and Rogen accompanies him to a convenience store nearby just at the time when a huge sinkhole with lava inside opens up in Franco’s backyard.
Eventually, Rogen, Baruchel and some other famous actors end up being stuck in Franco’s house as the madness outside unfolds and threatens to take them to hell too.
What Critics and Viewers Said About ‘This Is the End’
- On Rotten Tomatoes, This Is The End holds scores of 82% and 71% from critics and viewers
- On IMDb, the movie is rated 6.6/10
Now seeming like The Studio’s potential prequel where Seth Rogen goes on to fulfil his moviemaking ambitions in a rebuilt world, This Is the End was also a major hit back in 2013, grossing around $126 million in the box office against its budget of $40 million.
“Blithe, beautifully acted and refreshingly free of fancy SFX, This Is The End pokes fun at generic film-making, without ever seeming self-righteous”, London Evening Standard’s Charlotte O’Sullivan wrote back in the day.
“You never know exactly what lunacy lurks around the corner, or just how far Rogen and Goldberg will push the R rating to its limit”, San Jose Mercury News’ Randy Myers added.
“A hilarious and unexpected spectacle that hits every high note,it'll get you chuckling,terrified and on the edge of your seat.Definitely a must watch”, user Adam M shared on Rotten Tomatoes’ website while Hans S called This Is the End “one of the best comedy movies of the era”.
