Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the creative minds behind the 2007 hit comedy “Superbad,” have firmly shut down any hopes of a sequel. Despite the current trend of legacy sequels and the audience nostalgia fueling them, Rogen and Goldberg believe there’s no meaningful purpose in revisiting their iconic film.
In a recent interview, they shared their reluctance to create a follow-up, largely due to their personal connection to the original movie.
“Superbad” is celebrated as one of the best coming-of-age teen comedies, fondly remembered by fans. The film not only launched the careers of Michael Cera and Jonah Hill but also marked a pivotal moment for Rogen and the movie debut of Emma Stone.
Superbad (Columbia Pictures)
With an impressive 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a gross of over $170 million on a $14 million budget, “Superbad” was both a critical and financial triumph.
In an interview with Complex, Rogen and Goldberg addressed the sequel speculation head-on. Rogen acknowledged the film’s enduring appeal among high school students, noting the surprising frequency with which 18-year-olds still approach him to talk about it.
Goldberg added that he fears a sequel could tarnish the original’s reputation, saying, “I don’t want people to be like, ‘But the sequel was a little shitty.'”
Rogen elaborated, emphasizing the personal nature of “Superbad” and its roots in their own high school experiences. “Let’s f*cking leave it as is,” he asserted, appreciating how the film’s humor resonated unexpectedly with a broad audience.
The creators’ stance reflects a broader issue in the film industry, where sequels are often driven by financial motives rather than a genuine need for further storytelling.
Superbad (Columbia Pictures)
Rogen and Goldberg are well aware of the pitfalls of lackluster comedy sequels and are keen to preserve the legacy of “Superbad,” a film born from their desire to write something better than the mediocre movies they once rented.
Currently, both Rogen and Goldberg have their hands full with other successful projects, including executive producing comic book shows like “Preacher,” “Invincible,” and “The Boys.”
Rogen also recently revived the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with “TMNT: Mutant Mayhem” and is working on its sequel and a “Sausage Party” TV series.
While fans might be disappointed that “Superbad” won’t be getting a legacy sequel, Rogen and Goldberg’s commitment to maintaining its legacy ensures the original remains untarnished.
