Seth Rogen’s Pineapple Express Sequel: Addressing the Awkward Elephant in the Room

Seth Rogen is suddenly interested in making a sequel to one of his most beloved stoner comedies. Yep, the man who once swore off sequels faster than you can say “pass the joint” has apparently had a change of heart about Pineapple Express 2. But here’s the kicker: his former bromance buddy James Franco is nowhere to be found in this conversation. Awkward much?

Possibly Tentative Maybe

During a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Seth Rogen dropped what might be the most tentative “maybe” in Hollywood history when asked about a potential Pineapple Express sequel. “We can probably sell it to streaming or something,” he said, with all the enthusiasm of someone agreeing to attend their ex’s wedding. “There could be [big demand]. You never know.”

The Streaming Gambit: When Theaters Won’t Take Your Call

Let’s be real here – when an actor starts talking about “selling it to streaming,” that’s Hollywoodspeak for “nobody wants to put this in theaters, but Netflix might throw some cash at us.” Seth Rogen knows this game better than anyone. The original Pineapple Express made a respectable $101 million worldwide back in 2008, but that was when people still left their houses for entertainment and James Franco wasn’t persona non grata.

The streaming angle isn’t entirely without merit, though. Look at Happy Gilmore 2 – Adam Sandler’s long-awaited golf comedy sequel that’s currently dominating Netflix viewing charts. Sometimes the small screen is where comedy sequels find their second wind, especially when they’re carrying more baggage than a transcontinental flight.

The James Franco Problem: The Ghost of Bromances Past

Here’s where things get messier than a college dorm room after finals week. Any Pineapple Express sequel worth its salt would need James Franco’s “Saul Silver,” the lovably neurotic drug dealer who made the original film work. But Franco and Rogen’s friendship imploded spectacularly following the 2018 allegations against Franco, leaving their once-celebrated creative partnership deader than disco.

Franco, ever the optimist (or glutton for punishment), told Variety in October that he still loves Seth Rogen and misses their “20 great years together,” adding with heartbreaking honesty, “but I guess it’s over.” Meanwhile, Seth Rogen responded to these comments with the emotional depth of a puddle, telling Esquire, “I absorb so little media that it really wasn’t on my radar.” Ouch. That’s colder than a Canadian winter, Seth.

Sony’s Previous Hard Pass: When Studios Say “Thanks, But No Thanks”

Back in 2020, Rogen revealed on The Howard Stern Show that Sony had already killed a Pineapple Express sequel pitch years earlier. Thanks to the infamous Sony email hack, we know the studio wasn’t exactly jumping at the chance to throw money at another stoner adventure. Nothing says “confidence booster” like having your rejection made public through corporate espionage.

The original film was even parodied in Rogen’s 2013 apocalyptic comedy This Is The End, where a fake Pineapple Express 2 trailer played as a joke. Meta? Absolutely. Prophetic? Apparently so.

The Sequel Struggle: Why Seth Rogen Isn’t Great at Going Back

Seth Rogen realizes his creative limitations, and making sequels are apparently one of them. “I’m not great with sequels,” he admitted during the Andy Cohen appearance. “It’s not where my mind goes, but maybe one day.” Translation: “I’d rather create something new, but if someone backs up a money truck, I might reconsider.”

It’s a fair point. Comedy sequels are often notoriously difficult to pull off, especially when there’s a long gap between the original and potential follow-up. Also, what’s considered comedy has shifted dramatically since 2008. What was hilarious before feels as dated as flip phones and MySpace profiles today.

Can Pineapple Express Be Made Without James Franco?

This is the real question: Is it possible to make a Pineapple Express sequel without James Franco’s Saul Silver? It’s like trying to make a piña colada cocktail without the pineapple. It’s missing the point entirely. Rogen’s Dale and Franco’s Saul stoner chemistry was at the center of the original film. Without it, you’re left with just another generic action-comedy that happens to involve marijuana. (Cheech and Chong, anybody?)

Sure, they could kill off Saul’s character, replace him with someone else, or focus entirely on Dale’s adventures, but would audiences care? Solo Dale just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

What Does This Mean for Hollywood?

Hollywood’s current state is in flux. Studios are desperate for recognizable intellectual property, even when that IP comes with more red flags than a communist parade. The showbiz industry is hoping that audiences’ nostalgia and streaming habits can surmount any real-life drama and creative challenges.

It’s also a reminder that in Hollywood, money talks louder than personal relationships. If there’s enough financial incentive, even the most awkward professional reunions become possible, or at least worth considering.

Will Netflix, Apple TV+, or another platform see enough potential in a Franco-less Pineapple Express sequel to make it worth Seth Rogen’s while? Or will this remain another “what if” in Hollywood’s long, long list of sequels that never materialized? One thing’s for sure: if this sequel does happen, we’ll likely get some great memes out of it.