Seth Rogen Is One Of The Smartest Dudes In Hollywood — And It’s Time We Start Treating Him That Way

We were introduced to Seth Rogen in a handful of projects where his character was likely described as “schlubby” and less likely to be described as “has his shit together.” So after Freaks and Geeks and The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up and Pineapple Express, viewers were clearly enjoying his on-screen antics, but perhaps less likely to declare him one of Hollywood’s most powerful and influential director/writer/producers.

But now it’s the end of 2017, and here we are. Rogen has quietly established himself as one of the more interesting filmmakers of our time. And if you aren’t already treating him as such, well, you better get on board fast.

This year, he popped up in the Netflix series Friends from College for an episode and can currently be seen in The Disaster Artist, which he produced with his partner Evan Goldberg. The film also stars his bestie James Franco, who took on directing duties for the film as well. In fact, Franco has credited Rogen’s producing expertise as one of the factors that helped bring the bizarre story of the man (Tommy Wiseau) who made the “Best Worst Movie Ever Made” to the screen.

While you might not feel inundated with images of Rogen’s face on your screens this year, he’s been lurking behind them the whole time. He serves as an executive producer, writer, and director on AMC’s Preacher and producer of Hulu’s Future Man (he also directed the pilot episode). They’re interesting, unique, and varied projects, and don’t just provide hundreds of jobs for crew and cast members, but also serve as proof that he’s learned well from his professional mentor and collaborator, Judd Apatow, as Rogen is more than following in his footsteps.

Rogen currently has 11 projects in production, including the film Flarsky, due in 2019, in which he’ll star opposite Charlize Theron, as well as other feature films, documentaries, and TV pilots, cementing him as one of the most trusted minds in the industry. Oh, and he’ll serve as the voice as Pumbaa in the 2019 remake of The Lion King. Even as an actor, he’s proven himself capable of handling material that ranges from rom-com to action to drama to animation. Not to mention, he’s involved himself in international politics with the release of 2014’s The Interview (and subsequent Sony hack).

It might be a minute before audiences get to see Rogen on-screen smoking a blunt again, but that doesn’t mean he’s at home on his couch doing the same. In fact, it’s unlikely he has much time for extracurriculars lately. Instead, he’s spending his time wisely picking projects to get involved with, in front of or behind the camera, and choosing to work with a trusted, close group of collaborators — fellow actors, producers, and writers he knows he vibes well with. He’s able to bounce from big budget movies to landing streaming homes for other projects. In 2018, this will include Netflix streaming a celebrity-filled fundraise for Hilarity for Charity, a foundation he started with his wife over five years ago that has raised millions of dollars for Alzheimer’s research.

It would’ve been super easy for Rogen to just be that guy from those stoner comedies. But he’s been incredibly intelligent when it comes to the moves he’s made in the chess game that is the entertainment industry. That he’s planted the seeds for his own mini-empire within Hollywood, not secretly, but not in that annoying, flaunt it in your face way, has also been a smart move on his part. He’s certainly built up his cred in every aspect of what he’s bringing to the table on and off-screen, and as a public figure, he’s both outspoken and supportive at the times it seems to matter most. If you aren’t yet paying Rogen the respect he deserves, well, guess what, you’re late because an entire industry already has been.

Where to watch Future Man