Seth Rogen explains why one audition tape could ‘end his career’ if it leaked to the public
Seth Rogen revealed the one tape that could ruin his longstanding career if it was ever to be released.
There’s not often a lot that can single-handedly destroy a Hollywood career lasting decades, but beloved comedy actor, Seth Rogen shared that there’s one thing that can snatch his fame away if anyone saw it.
The actor and producer who has created hits such as This Is The End, Bad Neighbors, American Pickle, The Disaster Artist, and Sausage Party, but it would be worth nothing if a historic audition tape came to light.
The actor revealed all when he spoke to host Jimmy Kimmel on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Advert
He explored the audition process for his 2003 Gigli could-have-been role in Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s controversial movie.
The Golden Globe nominee explained that at the time, he was ‘an aspiring young actor’ when he tried to land the role of Brian, a mentally challenged hostage.
While Justin Bartha ended up playing that character, the memory of the audition had a lasting effect.
He said after being asked when the last time he auditioned was: “It has been a long time. And thank god it was mostly physical VHS tapes and stuff like that that was being used when I was auditioning for things, because the things I auditioned for, in retrospect, if they were out there in the world, they would end my career very, very fast, I believe.”
Rogen used his Gigli audition tape as an example, revealing: “I auditioned for this boy with a cognitive disability. And I don’t think the script was written in what, by today’s standards, would be the most sensitive portrayal of a boy with a cognitive disability.”
However, as the film was being directed by Martin Brest, who Rogen claims is a ‘great director’, he admitted: “I wanted to leave an impression.”
“I don’t think I wore a helmet in to the audition itself, but it was at play,” he explained. “And I’m tempted to do an impression of what I did, but I can’t even do it. I can’t. That’s how bad it was. It’s so bad. I dare not even portray what I did in this audition. Because I went for it. I saw myself at the Oscars.”
The actor added: “Truthfully, if that tape was out [in] the world today, this would be the last interview you ever saw me do. Other than, like, my apology tour. Please, if you have it, burn it. Please sell it to me. I will buy it.”
While it’s a shame that he was unable to land the role at the time, he may have actually dodged a career bullet in the end.
That’s because the movie went on to receive only a 6 percent Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many criticizing the plot, acting and more.
One critic wrote: “The two stars may be in love in real life, but they've managed to keep that chemistry well-hidden on screen.”
Topics: Seth Rogen, Film and TV, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Jimmy Kimmel
Britt Jones