Seth Rogen has shared a humorous account of one of the wildest auditions of his early career during a recent episode of *The A24 Podcast*, where he appeared alongside *The Invite* director and co-star, Olivia Wilde. The duo exchanged anecdotes reflecting on their paths to success and recalled a surprising connection through the same casting director from over two decades ago.
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Rogen, now 44 years old, reminisced about a particularly memorable audition he experienced while vying for a role in the 2002 film *8 Mile*, a musical drama that features rapper Eminem, known off-stage as Marshall Mathers III. During the podcast, Rogen explained that he distinctly remembered casting director Mali Finn as she was responsible for the “craziest audition” of his life.
Wilde, 42, revealed her previous role as a casting assistant for Finn during this period, leading Rogen to recall specific details of the audition process. He reminisced with amusement, saying, “I only remember her because she’s responsible for the craziest audition of my life.” The conversation quickly turned lighthearted as Wilde playfully teased Rogen about whether he had auditioned for Eminem’s now-iconic character.
“I would have been good,” Rogen replied with confidence, before clarifying that he had actually auditioned for a character named Cheddar Bob, a role eventually taken by actor Evan Jones. Additions from Wilde allowed the two to share their laughter about the nerve-wracking experience, which set a humorous tone for the podcast’s discussion.
Rogen recounted the unique situation he found himself in during his audition. He recalled receiving a rather unusual request in advance of the tryout, stating, “No one in this office feels comfortable reading the other roles. So you have to bring someone to read with you.” With this instruction, Rogen and his friend Jason Segel, a fellow actor and collaborator, decided to support one another in their quest for the role. “I found out Jason Segel also had an audition for it, and so we just went with each other,” Rogen narrated, revealing the teamwork that bloomed out of a quirky situation.
Wilde curiously inquired whether Rogen had brought Eminem to help him with the audition, to which he laughed and replied that this was not the case. Instead, Rogen shared an amusing moment about how they had switched roles during the audition, which only added to the overall ridiculousness of the scenario.
As they discussed the audition, Rogen and Wilde broke into fits of laughter at the absurdity of what they had gone through. “We both started laughing. I started laughing uncontrollably to the point I was just like… It was too stupid,” Rogen remarked, capturing the essence of their shared nostalgia.
In *8 Mile*, the story revolves around Eminem’s character, Jimmy Smith Jr., who aspires to make a name for himself as a rapper under the stage name B-Rabbit. The film, which also features notable actors like Brittany Murphy, Anthony Mackie, and Kim Basinger, has since become iconic, with its soundtrack hit “Lose Yourself” achieving significant acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Interestingly, Eminem did not attend the Oscar ceremony, where the song was celebrated.
As for Rogen, his illustrious career has expanded beyond hilarious auditions. Alongside Wilde, he stars in *The Invite*, which also boasts a talented ensemble including Penélope Cruz, Edward Norton, and Paul Rudd. The film adds another chapter to Rogen’s impressive portfolio, as it is currently screening in cinemas.
Through their conversation, Rogen and Wilde not only entertained their listeners with amusing tales from the past but also highlighted the unpredictable and often whimsical nature of the entertainment industry. Their camaraderie during this nostalgic recount serves as a reminder of the early struggles that shaped their successful careers in Hollywood.