While Hollywood marriages don’t last, it seems bromances are forever. Seth Rogen and James Franco, forever hitched since Daniel and Ken walked into our lives in “Freaks & Geeks,” have collaborated on a handful of projects including “Pineapple Express,” “The Green Hornet,” “Knocked Up” and this summer’s apocalypse comedy “This Is The End.” The latter was Rogen’s first co-directing gig, along with writing partner Evan Goldberg, and it seems that not only did he like the experience, so did Sony.
Rogen and Goldberg are teaming up again to helm “The Interview” for the studio, based on a story they wrote with Dan Sterling (“The Daily Show“). Another high-concept comedy, this time the plot centers on a talk show host and producer who somehow get mixed up in a plot to assassinate the leader of North Korea. So yeah, it’s topical and potentially touchy subject matter, but as Sacha Baron Cohen proved with the somewhat underrated “The Dictator,” this territory can be handled well. Rogen will produce and star in the movie as well, taking the role of producer, with his old pal Franco eyed for the part of the talk show host. Talks haven’t formally started, but we’d wager Rogen has probably already blown up his cell about it.
But while this $30 million project is coming together, it won’t happen right away. Rogen will next star in Nicholas Stoller‘s “Townies” which shoots this year, so maybe after that he’ll get back behind the camera? If “This Is The End” is a hit, very likely. [THR]
