“I Hated Him” – Jonah Hill Talks Of First Encounter With ‘Superbad’ Co-Star Christopher Mintz-Plasse
The actor would go on to steal the show in the 2007 hit comedy.
Entertainment
Words by Tom Disalvo August 22, 2022

Image via Sony Pictures//

“I couldn’t perform with that guy,” Hill said of his Superbad co-star…

Jonah Hill has revealed his initial feelings towards one of his Superbad co-stars. In a recent interview oral history of the film with Vanity Fair, the comedian opened up about his experience working on the 2007 Judd Apatow film, specifically recalling a table read with fellow actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who played McLovin’ in his first-ever film role. 

“I think he was really annoying to me at that time,” Hill said. The confession was supported by Superbad writer Set Rogen, who admitted that “Jonah immediately hated [Christopher]. He was like, ‘That was fucking with my rhythm. I couldn’t perform with that guy.’” Sharing a similar sentiment, Apatow relayed that Hill had even sought to have Mintz-Plasse removed for the film, allegedly telling the producer that he “[didn’t] want him doing it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HTHPtoNJLk

Appatow explained that Hill’s aversion to the McLovin’ might’ve arisen during the audition process, during which Mintz-Plasse “attacked Jonah and did improvs insulting Jonah.” Ultimately, Apatow conceded that the tension between the pair was useful, given Hill’s contempt for McLovin’ in the film, admitting that “That’s exactly why we hired him. It couldn’t be more perfect. The fact that it bother[ed] [Hill] is exactly what we want.”

Hill conceded that “Chris was really amazing, right off the bat,” especially given that months-long search for the right McLovin’ candidate. For his part, Mintz-Plasse recalled his initial disbelief when he was first cast, admitting that he “had Seth and everyone sign [his] script because [he] didn’t think [he] was going to get the part.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLLzlb1SN2M

The news comes months after Apatow revealed the reason why a Superbad sequel was rejected, saying “it’ll be funny to do it when [the characters] are 70 or 80″. Meanwhile, Hill recently revealed that we won’t promote any of his upcoming films to protect his mental health, writing to Deadline that his anxiety is “exacerbated by media appearances and public-facing events.” 

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