'It's My Job to Ruin Movies': Seth Rogen Exposes Brutal Truths Behind 'The Studio'

Seth Rogen recently opened up about the authentic Hollywood experiences that shaped Apple TV+'s new satire series. During his appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Rogen shared fascinating insights about his character and the real industry moments that made their way into the show.

As the star, co-creator, and director of the series, Rogen plays Matt Remick, a studio executive caught in the eternal Hollywood struggle.

"In the show, I run a Hollywood movie studio that exists in today's version," Rogen explained to Colbert. "And in the show, the major conflict is one I'm sure you're familiar with is that of, like, art versus commerce. And my character loves movies and is a huge movie fan, but as the head of a studio often has to make choices that make movies worse. And he loves directors and he loves movie stars, but he's constantly having to disappoint them by giving them notes they don't want to hear or by just, in general, ruining their passion."

The character's internal conflict stems from a relatable industry dilemma. "He doesn't want to get fired, and that conflict I think is at the heart of show business," Rogen added.

This tension between artistic passion and commercial reality isn't just fictional. When Colbert asked if Rogen had experienced executives expressing similar sentiments, the actor enthusiastically confirmed.

"Very much so!" Rogen responded. "Me and my partner Evan [Goldberg] were in a meeting early in our career, we were rewriting a movie, and the executive said exactly that. He was giving us notes. We wanted to make it very R-rated and edgy, and he was telling us we couldn't, and even though he thought it was funny, he hung his head and said exactly that: 'I got into this because I love movies and now it's my job to ruin them."

Rogen later identified the executive as Steve Asbell, current president of 20th Century Studios, adding: "He's great. He's a lovely guy, but he's very conflicted about what he has to do."

The show's authentic portrayal has struck nerves in Hollywood. When asked if any industry insiders had recognized themselves in the series, Rogen laughed.

"Yes, I've been yelled at three times in the last week," he admitted. "Some of them are pleased, some of them are not pleased, I will say."

One episode about the Golden Globes draws directly from a memorable industry moment. In the show, Rogen's character desperately wants recognition in an acceptance speech - a desire Rogen witnessed firsthand.

"Years ago, we made a film that won a Golden Globe and at the afterparty, we saw one of the executives crying, and we assumed they were crying because we won and they were happy. We went over and we're like, 'We won! Is that why you're crying?' And they said, 'No, they forgot to thank me during the speech.'"

This emotional reaction became central to an episode. "Then we made a whole episode about that, and the person who it's based on knows that we made a whole episode about it and, in no uncertain terms, yelled at me very recently," Rogen revealed.

Interestingly, the show's impact goes beyond those who inspired specific storylines. "People have projected themselves onto these characters in a way that is not accurate," Rogen explained. "Conversely, I had a call from a studio executive who said, 'It was so real and it was so truthful to my story, I couldn't stop crying when I was watching it.' And I didn't have the heart to tell him, but I was like, 'It's not based on you at all, man.'"

The series navigates the complex world of Hollywood decision-making, highlighting the often contradictory forces that shape the entertainment we consume. Through Rogen's character and the situations he faces, viewers get an insider's perspective on the challenges of balancing artistic integrity with commercial demands.

Has Rogen's candor about the real-life inspirations behind the show created awkward moments in Hollywood? Absolutely. But that authenticity might be exactly what makes 'The Studio' resonate with both industry insiders and audiences alike.