Making a film is tough work, and things can be even harder when a pair of co-stars don't get along. Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy had problems on Pretty in Pink, there was tension between Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant, and some actors, like Charlize Theron, have had difficulties multiple times.
Superbad is a classic from the 2000s, and while the cast was dynamic on screen, things weren't so smooth on set. Two of the films leads, Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, had some tension, which actually benefited their performances while working on the film.
Let's take a look back at Superbad, and learn the truth about the relationship between those two actors, and how one of them has had problems with other actors in the industry.
Superbad Turned Into An Iconic Film With A Cult-Following
Superbad, the 2007 coming-of-age comedy directed by Greg Mottola, is not just a movie; it's a cultural phenomenon that has left an indelible mark on cinema and pop culture.
When Superbad hit the silver screen in 2007, it wasn't just a movie—it was a tidal wave of laughter that engulfed theaters worldwide. Garnering over $121 million in global box office revenue, the film became a financial powerhouse. However, its success wasn't merely measured in dollars; it was measured in gut-busting laughs and heartfelt moments that resonated across generations.
The movie's triumph can be traced back to its clever writing and pitch-perfect casting. Penned by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who drew inspiration from their own high school experiences, the script became a relatable chronicle of friendship, adolescent confusion, and the desperate pursuit of popularity. The ensemble cast, including Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, delivered performances that transformed their characters into household names, breathing life into every awkward glance, misguided decision, and uproarious line.
Fast forward to today, and Superbad continues to be more than a mere blip on the comedic radar. Its legacy is firmly cemented in the annals of pop culture, remaining a touchstone for countless movies that followed in its footsteps.
Circling back to the cast, as dynamic as they were on screen, they didn't always get along too well.
Michael Cera Revealed On Hot Ones That Jonah Hill And Christopher Mintz-Plasse Had Tension During The Audition Process
While appearing on Hot Ones, Michael Cera opened up about Superbad, specifically talking about the tension between his co-stars.
According to Cera, "Yeah, definitely. Definitely. When he left the room, Jonah was like 'No, not him,'"
Cera then expanded on the story.
"He was like irritated by him. I think he felt that Chris was like, kind of, getting the better of him comedically, stopping Jonah, like, like kind of like, blocking Jonah's like funny jabs, which made it so funny," the actor continued.
This has been corroborated by others.
Said Seth Rogen, "Jonah immediately hated him. He was like, ‘That was f****** with my rhythm. I couldn’t perform with that guy.'”
Judd Apatow also chimed in.
"Jonah said, ‘I don’t like that guy. I don’t want him doing it.’ And I said, ‘That’s exactly why we’re hiring him. It couldn’t be more perfect. The fact that it bothers you is exactly what we want,'" he said.
Ultimately, the pair pulled it off, and they helped catapult the film to its current status.
For Jonah Hill, Mintz-Plasse isn't the only co-star he disliked.
Jonah Hill Has Had Issues With Other Performers, Notably Jay Baruchel
Jay Baruchel, who appeared in multiple movies with Jonah Hill, has admitted that the pair are not the best of friends. In fact, the depiction we see of them as adversaries in This is the End isn't far off from the truth.
"Jonah and I don’t get along super well, or at least didn’t back then," said Baruchel.
"And also, it was this weird thing of mining personal s–t,. But not for catharsis…mining it just for comedy. So mining it in the most monetized, capitalist way of, ‘we’re going to dig up real personal s–t,’ but nobody’s going to go home feeling better about it. We’re just going to turn it into a f–king product," Baruchel added.
The actor added that the two never aired things out, either.
"We never talked about any of the real s–t,. Like, it never came up for real. Because … we’re both 1982 kids which means we were raised in a great misogynistic tradition of not talking about s–t. Especially two boys … we’ll air grievances. When we’re mad at each other and say that, but it’s very rare to be vulnerable."
The real tension between Jonah Hill and Christopher Mintz-Plasse helped their performances in Superbad, and the movie remains as beloved as ever. Hopefully, the next time Hill has on-screen tension with someone, it will be by way of acting, and not from beef on set.
