CS: Tell me about another film you have in the works called "Pineapple Express?"
Apatow: "Pineapple Express" is an idea I had about ten years ago. I thought it would be funny to make a pot-action movie. Like, what if you made a stoner movie like a "Cheech and Chong" movie with action like a Jerry Bruckheimer movie? Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote the script - the same people who wrote "Superbad." Seth stars in it with James Franco. It was directed by David Gordon Green who is a great director - way too good to do our movie. It came out great. It's like "Superbad" with an enormous amount of violence. (Laughter) I know that's a good formula for fun.
CS: When you get on the set with an actor what is it about them that makes you want to get to know them better?
Apatow: I like somebody that I relate to or someone that I think people would root for. That's the most important thing; and something that makes me laugh that has some weird aspect to their personality. It's different every single time. Segel's comedy style is very different from Seth, but I like them both. They are fun to watch and they are both great writers.
CS: Was there an actor on the set who was hilarious while filming but tends to be serious off screen?
Apatow: James Franco was ridiculously funny when we shot that movie. I didn't realize he is a very charming witty person; but it is still shocking how funny he is in that movie. What I think people will enjoy is that he hasn't made a mainstream comedy, ever. You get to see this completely different side of James Franco. He was so funny it was hard for everybody else to keep up. It was refreshing and surprising. Off the set he is busy reading Herman Melville.
