Judd Apatow's Knocked Up spinoff won't include Seth Rogen

One of the big mysteries surrounding Judd Apatow's Knocked Up spinoff(besides the actual title) had to do with Ben Stone, Seth Rogen's character who was the centerpiece of the original film. This story takes place a few years later and focuses on Pete and Debbie, the troubled married couple played by Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann. So far a sweet cast has been gathered, including Albert Brooks, Megan Fox, Melissa McCarthy, Charlyne Yi, Chris O'Dowd, Annie Mumolo, Jason Segel, John Lithgow, and Lena Dunham. But what's up with Rogen? Is he in or out?

Turns out it's the latter, as Rogen recently told Movies.com that he won't be involved, but the script is pretty great...

“Yeah I’m not in it, but I went to visit the set and it looked hilarious,” It was a good choice, honestly, because I think it would’ve confused people,” “But I’m really looking forward to seeing it; I thought the script was unbelievably funny.”

By "confused" I'm guessing he means people will wonder too much about the whereabouts of Alison(Katherine Heigl), the girl he gummed up then won over with his dorky caveman charms.  Then again I do find it strange that Charlyne Yi's character is included, since she was closely associated with Rogen's. Whatever. That's one question answered, and now it'd be nice to know if Apatow is sticking with the This is Forty working title. I kinda like it.

On a separate note, Rogen also revealed that  Jay and Seth vs. Apocalypse, the feature length version of the hilarious short film he made with Jay Baruchel and Evan Goldberg, will actually happen. The plan is for him and Goldberg to co-direct with shooting to begin in February.

For those who don't know, the short film centered around two friends going out of their way to get on eachother's nerves while the end of the world takes place outside. Rogen also referred to the film as "oddly personal" and says there "many other people vs. the apocalypse now". Get ready for some serious celebrity cameos. [Movies.com]