Jonah Hill ‘Hated Superbad Co-Star So Much’ During Auditions And Asked Producers Not To Hire Him

Jonah Hill is said to have ‘hated’ one of his co-stars on the 2007 hit comedy Superbad

Since its release, Superbad has been garnered as one of the best comedies of the 2000s and one of the best high school movies ever.

Considered a defining film of the millennial generation, it’s beloved by many and one that will likely be watched for years to come.

Yet in the years following its release, it’s been revealed that it wasn’t all smooth sailing regarding the cast.

In fact, Hill ‘immediately hated’ one of his co-stars and said he ‘couldn’t perform with that guy.’

Jonah Hill
Jonah Hill didn’t gel with all his Superbad co-stars immediately. Credit: Alamy

The coming-of-age comedy, directed by Greg Mottola, follows Hill and Michael Cera as Seth and Evan, two teenagers about to graduate from college.

Before graduating, the boys want to party and lose their virginities, which proves to be harder than planned.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, Martha MacIsaac, and Emma Stone provide supporting roles.

For the supporting cast, it was said to have been ‘a blast’ working on the film.

Superbad (2007).
Superbad is garnered as one of the best comedies from the 2000s. Credit: Sony Pictures

For the 15th anniversary of the teen comedy, the cast and crew sat down with Variety and talked about the making of Superbad.

Stone, who made her big-screen debut in the classic, said she enjoyed her time on set with Hill.

The actress said: “It was all about making each other laugh, and who could kind of one-up each other and say something that’s just going to make everybody break.

“Jonah was beyond sweet to me from the very beginning. And he’s such a fun and loving person to work with.”

But Hill didn’t have this experience with everyone behind the scenes.

Superbad (2007).
Jonah Hill initially refused to ‘perform with that guy.’ Credit: Sony Pictures

Rogen, who starred and co-wrote in the film, revealed Hill ‘immediately hated’ one of his co-stars but that this worked in the movie’s favor.

The Knocked Up star recalled: “Jonah immediately hated him. He was like, ‘That was f***ing with my rhythm. I couldn’t perform with that guy.’”

Producer Judd Apatow added: “Jonah said, ‘I don’t like that guy. I don’t want him doing it.’ And I said, ‘That’s exactly why we’re hiring him. It couldn’t be more perfect. The fact that it bothers you is exactly what we want.’”

Looking back, Hill has since said he’s had a change of heart, explaining that his co-star was just ‘really annoying to me at that time’ but was ‘really amazing off the bat.’

Superbad (2007).
Jonah Hill ‘immediately hated’ Superbad co-star Christopher Mintz-Plasse. Credit: Sony Pictures

The co-star Hill didn’t immediately gel with was Mintz-Plasse, who played Fogell, more fondly known as McLovin.

Mintz-Plasse described himself as a ‘scrawny kid’ who was ‘super stoked’ to be at the open casting call.

“It was my first movie, and I was nervous,” he added.

According to Apatow, the McLovin actor was ‘very caustic and attacked Jonah and did improvs insulting Jonah’ during his third callback.

Despite their early qualms, Hill and Mintz-Plasse have since worked together on other film projects, from How to Train Your Dragon to This Is the End.

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