But It Looks Like Daniel Radcliffe Is Out
We’ve never liked the term The Frat Pack (for all their potty mouths, the particular comedies that those to whom the term is applied make aren’t actually that fratty; Todd Phillips‘ output is a better fit), but there’s no denying that the ever-expanding family tree of actors and comics who’ve risen up in the last few years, mostly thanks to the patronage of Judd Apatow, are an incestuous lot. Clearly great friends in real life, they like nothing better than cameoing in each other’s work, teaming up for buddy pictures, and generally getting paid to hang out on screen.
Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel, who met while starring on Apatow’s short-lived, much-missed sitcom “Undeclared” a decade ago, have stayed pals, and are set to lead a film together next year, starring as versions of themselves in “Jay and Seth Vs. The Apocalypse,” an expanded version of a short film from 2007. The movie, which will feature the two actors as survivors of the end-of-the-world event, will mark the directorial debut of Rogen and long-time co-writer Evan Goldberg, and the actor revealed over the weekend that two more frequent collaborators, Jonah Hill and James Franco, will also play themselves in the film.
Rogen just spoke to MTV on the publicity trail for “50/50,” and confirmed that the two will be coming along, as well as two heretofore unmentioned names: “Eastbound and Down” star Danny McBride and “The Office” veteran Craig Robinson. The two have worked with the gang plenty before — McBride was in “Pineapple Express” with Rogen and “Tropic Thunder” with Baruchel, while Robinson cropped up in “Knocked Up” and ‘Pineapple.’ Rogen confirms that all the actors will play themselves, saying that “ideally ‘Jay and Seth’ looks like it has become Jay, Seth, Jonah, Danny, Craig and James.” Not so lucky when it comes to surviving the end of the world? ANY WOMEN.
It looks like one big star from outside the group won’t be coming along, however. Rogen had mentioned “Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe as a possible addition in some aspect, but the youthful actor seems to have gotten cold feet, saying “It doesn’t look like he’s willing to push things as far as we [are].” We suppose Radcliffe has to think of his youthful fanbase, but it seems like the film could have been a good break away from Potter — although perhaps the script just involved a string of boy wizard jokes, and that’s why he opted out?
Even without Radcliffe (and more celebrity cameos are planned anyway, with many possibly just featuring as corpses), it’s shaping up to be an impressive mix of comic talent, and so long as it manages to avoid self-indulgence, it’s certainly something we’re looking forward to, even despite the grim specter of the dreadful “Green Hornet” not so far behind us. Mandate Pictures are backing the film, and it should start shooting early in 2012.