Seth Rogen has once again ignited the hopes of "Pineapple Express" fans, hinting at a possible sequel to the beloved 2008 stoner action-comedy. During a recent appearance on "Watch What Happens Live," Rogen responded to a viewer's question about a potential follow-up film with a glimmer of optimism. "Maybe," Rogen said, adding, "We can probably sell it to streaming or something". He acknowledged the significant demand for a sequel, stating, "There could be".
"Pineapple Express," directed by David Gordon Green, starred Rogen alongside James Franco, Gary Cole, Rosy Perez, and Danny McBride. The film follows Dale Denton (Rogen), a stoner who goes on the run with his dealer, Saul Silver (Franco), after witnessing a murder. A dangerous drug lord and a crooked cop pursue them, leading to a series of comedic and action-packed escapades. The movie garnered a cult following and was a box office success, grossing over $100 million worldwide on a budget of $26 million.
Despite the initial enthusiasm and the film's enduring popularity, a sequel has been stuck in development hell for years. Rogen revealed in a 2020 interview on "The Howard Stern Show" that a "Pineapple Express 2" was indeed planned, but the studio, Sony, ultimately scrapped the project due to budget concerns. "We tried to make one," Rogen explained. "Thanks to the Sony hack, you can actually find the email when Sony decided to kill the movie and not make it". He added, "It was something we were very open to several years ago, but Sony was not that interested in it". Rogen believes the studio balked at the budget the team was requesting. "I think we probably wanted too much money," he said. "Studios, they don't like giving away money. Weird thing".
The Sony hack in 2014 revealed emails between Judd Apatow, who produced the first film, and then-studio chair Amy Pascal, expressing excitement about the sequel. Apatow wrote, "I am so glad we are so close to getting Pineapple Express 2 figured out...We are very inspired creatively on this one. We have hilarious ideas. It is gonna be awesome". However, despite the creative enthusiasm, the financial disagreements proved insurmountable.
Furthermore, the relationship between Seth Rogen and James Franco has become strained in recent years, adding another layer of complexity to the possibility of a sequel. Multiple women have accused Franco of sexual misconduct, leading to public scrutiny and a distancing from former collaborators. In a 2024 interview with Variety, Franco stated that he and Rogen are no longer friends. "No. I haven't talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it's over," Franco said. Rogen initially supported Franco but later distanced himself as more accusations surfaced. In 2021, Rogen told The Times, "I also look back to that interview in 2018 where I comment that I would keep working with James, and the truth is that I have not and I do not plan to right now".
Despite these challenges, Rogen's recent comments suggest that the possibility of a "Pineapple Express" sequel is not entirely off the table. The rise of streaming services has created new avenues for film production and distribution, potentially making a sequel financially viable. Whether Rogen and Franco can reconcile, or if the film could proceed with a different dynamic, remains to be seen. For now, fans can hold onto the hope that one day, Dale and Saul may embark on another hazy adventure.
