Mila Kunis or Kristen Stewart for Emma Watson; several lost cameos
Mila Kunis was reportedly the original Emma Watson-role choice and is favored by one participant for her comic history with the cast. Others defend Emma Watson because Hermione’s presence and her perceived innocence make the scene stranger and funnier. Kristen Stewart is proposed as a Twilight-based alternate. Cameron Diaz was reportedly lost when production moved from Los Angeles to New Orleans. Daniel Radcliffe reportedly declined a role. An alternate ending with Morgan Freeman pretending to be God is described and rejected in favor of the Backstreet Boys ending.
In the discussion (6)
- Mila Kunis was reportedly the original Emma Watson-role choice and is favored by one participant for her comic history with the cast.
- Others defend Emma Watson because Hermione’s presence and her perceived innocence make the scene stranger and funnier.
- Kristen Stewart is proposed as a Twilight-based alternate.
- Cameron Diaz was reportedly lost when production moved from Los Angeles to New Orleans.
- Daniel Radcliffe reportedly declined a role.
- An alternate ending with Morgan Freeman pretending to be God is described and rejected in favor of the Backstreet Boys ending.
Jason Segel for James Franco; a modern cohort remake
Mila Kunis is again proposed for Emma Watson’s role. A present-day remake is considered, but no comparably famous comic cohort is found; Tim Robinson is discussed as talented but insufficiently famous for the same premise. Jason Segel is favored as a digital replacement for James Franco because of his ties to the group and likable quality. Ryan Reynolds is an alternate Franco replacement.
In the discussion (4)
- Mila Kunis is again proposed for Emma Watson’s role.
- A present-day remake is considered, but no comparably famous comic cohort is found; Tim Robinson is discussed as talented but insufficiently famous for the same premise.
- Jason Segel is favored as a digital replacement for James Franco because of his ties to the group and likable quality.
- Ryan Reynolds is an alternate Franco replacement.
Rihanna slap, reused duffel, ratings, deleted material, music, and geography
Michael Cera reportedly asked Rihanna to slap him for real after he slapped her, leading to repeated hard takes. Emma Watson’s water duffel is identified as the same prop used in Pineapple Express. The filmmakers expected an NC-17 and were surprised that extreme material survived with an R rating. Test audiences rejected a cannibal sequence in which McBride drinks from Franco’s severed foot. A marijuana scene with Hitler was nearly filmed and then rejected. Step Into a World at Franco’s house samples Rapture. The opening directions name several canyon routes, prompting questions about the fictional house location.
In the discussion (7)
- Michael Cera reportedly asked Rihanna to slap him for real after he slapped her, leading to repeated hard takes.
- Emma Watson’s water duffel is identified as the same prop used in Pineapple Express.
- The filmmakers expected an NC-17 and were surprised that extreme material survived with an R rating.
- Test audiences rejected a cannibal sequence in which McBride drinks from Franco’s severed foot.
- A marijuana scene with Hitler was nearly filmed and then rejected.
- Step Into a World at Franco’s house samples Rapture.
- The opening directions name several canyon routes, prompting questions about the fictional house location.
Impossible Los Angeles geography and celebrity behavior
Franco’s supposed hill house cannot plausibly sit three blocks from Melrose and appears to combine several neighborhoods. Six men being frightened away by Emma Watson with an axe is questioned, then defended because the characters are helpless actors. Seth Rogen personally meeting Jay at the airport is considered implausible at his 2013 fame level. Sending a driver is proposed as the plausible alternative. Michael Cera and Mindy Kaling are considered an implausible sexual pairing, though that mismatch is defended as the joke. Waiting at the airport gate after 9/11 is identified as a separate implausibility.
In the discussion (6)
- Franco’s supposed hill house cannot plausibly sit three blocks from Melrose and appears to combine several neighborhoods.
- Six men being frightened away by Emma Watson with an axe is questioned, then defended because the characters are helpless actors.
- Seth Rogen personally meeting Jay at the airport is considered implausible at his 2013 fame level. — Craig Horlbeck
- Sending a driver is proposed as the plausible alternative.
- Michael Cera and Mindy Kaling are considered an implausible sexual pairing, though that mismatch is defended as the joke.
- Waiting at the airport gate after 9/11 is identified as a separate implausibility.
Bodily functions, Aja, Michael Cera, and Jay Baruchel
The panel settles on two bowel movements per day rather than six. Aja the spaniel is initially presumed dead, then identified as the dog Seth holds in heaven. A crude question about Michael Cera’s body is answered affirmatively as part of the film’s persona joke. Whether Jay Baruchel is genuinely difficult is debated using his dislike of Los Angeles and real resentment of Seth’s newer friends. Jay is defended as better company in Canada and as skillfully playing his own type. His pleasure at Mindy Kaling’s compliment is cited as a revealing moment within the caricature.
In the discussion (6)
- The panel settles on two bowel movements per day rather than six.
- Aja the spaniel is initially presumed dead, then identified as the dog Seth holds in heaven.
- A crude question about Michael Cera’s body is answered affirmatively as part of the film’s persona joke.
- Whether Jay Baruchel is genuinely difficult is debated using his dislike of Los Angeles and real resentment of Seth’s newer friends.
- Jay is defended as better company in Canada and as skillfully playing his own type.
- His pleasure at Mindy Kaling’s compliment is cited as a revealing moment within the caricature.
Pineapple Express or Project X
Pineapple Express is selected by one participant and Project X by another. The discussion expands into why the group avoided sequels and which comedy sequels have worked.
In the discussion (2)
- Pineapple Express is selected by one participant and Project X by another.
- The discussion expands into why the group avoided sequels and which comedy sequels have worked.
Casting What-Ifs