Seth Rogen is back with his signature brand of comedy, and this time, he’s taking a jab at Hollywood itself! The multi-talented actor, writer, and director celebrated the world premiere of his highly anticipated Apple TV+ series, The Studio, at SXSW on March 7. Not only is Rogen the creative force behind the show—writing, directing, and executive producing—but he also stars as Matt Remick, a newly appointed studio executive navigating the chaotic and often absurd world of the entertainment industry.
The premise? A satirical look at what really goes on behind the scenes in Hollywood. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run a major movie studio, The Studio promises to deliver an insider’s perspective—one filled with high-stakes decisions, impossible expectations, and plenty of hilariously awkward moments. Rogen himself has spent years working within the studio system, and he pulled inspiration directly from his experiences. “It was directly inspired by all the people we work with and all the years and years we’ve spent making studio films,” he told IndieWire. “We’ve primarily worked within the studio system and so we’ve become close friends with a lot of these people and we’ve seen how hard it is for them.”
While we might think of studio executives as power players in Hollywood, Rogen sheds light on the difficult and often thankless position they hold. “The fact that they have a job where they’re constantly put in a position where they have to disappoint their idols and ruin things that maybe could be great—it’s very comedic, honestly,” he shared. That’s the core of The Studio: a blend of sharp industry commentary and laugh-out-loud humor that explores the delicate balance between creativity and business.
And what’s a Hollywood satire without some A-list cameos? The Studio is stacked with guest appearances from industry heavyweights like Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard, alongside indie film icons such as Owen Kline (Funny Pages) and Greta Lee (Past Lives). Rogen and his longtime collaborator, Evan Goldberg, made a conscious effort to showcase a variety of filmmakers, reflecting the many different types of players that make up the Hollywood ecosystem. “For someone like Sarah Polley, for example, we were trying to show that this studio is trying to make awardsy-type movies,” Rogen said. “She just won an Oscar. She’s also known for being very nice and considerate, so this idea that me and her have an incredibly conflict-filled dynamic on the show seemed very funny.”
The series doesn’t just rely on Rogen’s signature high-energy comedic style—it also boasts powerhouse performances from an all-star cast. Kathryn Hahn and Catherine O’Hara, in particular, steal the show. In his review of the series, IndieWire’s Ben Travers highlighted O’Hara’s standout performance: “The latter thrives during the occasionally labored long takes, leaning on her background in improvisational comedy to listen, react, and take command as needed. As Continental’s previous studio head, Patty, she’s indelibly delicate one minute and equally demented the next.” If that’s not a reason to tune in, what is?
Adding to the intrigue, Rogen revealed that his portrayal of Matt Remick draws from real-life experiences, particularly from his time working at Sony. “We spent a lot of time making movies at Sony, and so I would say it’s partially inspired by our time at Sony, [with] a lot of our experience when we were younger.” While he hasn’t called out any specific executives, it’s safe to assume that industry insiders will recognize more than a few familiar situations (and possibly people).
Excited to watch? The Studio premieres on Apple TV+ on March 26 with the first two episodes dropping together, followed by a new episode every Wednesday through May 21. Whether you’re a Hollywood insider, an aspiring filmmaker, or just someone who loves a good comedy, this series is shaping up to be a must-watch. Check out the trailer and get ready for a hilarious, behind-the-scenes rollercoaster through the wild world of moviemaking!
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