In 2007, up-and-coming comedic actor Seth Rogen was able to turn the exploits of his youth into an R-rated comedy hit with Superbad, which also helped launch the careers of its young cast members. The film also gave an iconic alias with “McLovin,” who would be celebrating his 36th birthday today.
When Superbad debuted, it initially drew comparisons to other R-rated teen romps like American Pie, that had been released eight years prior. Rogen’s semi-autobiographical film, however, skimped on the sex and focused far more on friendships and the pressures of leaving high school behind to transition to adulthood.
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In addition to the film receiving positive critical reception, it was also quite profitable, scoring over $120 million on a budget of only $20 million.
To celebrate McLovin’s fictional birthday, scroll down to see just how far the cast of the comedy have come in the ten years since it was released.
Jonah Hill – Seth
Thanks to roles in films like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Accepted, Hill was on the rise as a go-to “chubby, goofy” actor who could pop up with bit parts and deliver a hilarious quip or two.
Hill proved with Superbad that, when paired with the right foil, could carry big comedies, going on to star in films like 21 Jump Street, The Sitter, and This is the End. The comedic exposure also landed Hill some important roles in a variety of dramas, like Cyrus and Moneyball, the latter of which earned him an Academy Award nomination. The actor also scored himself a nomination for his work in The Wolf of Wall Street, helping make him one of the most sought-after actors of his generation.
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Michael Cera – Evan
Prior to his work in Superbad, Cera already had a cult following, thanks to his performance as George Michael in the sitcom Arrested Development.
2007 ended up being a pivotal year for Cera, as he scored a hit with his goofball antics in Superbadย as well as earning indieย credย while starring in the romantic comedy Juno, where he played a high school student who impregnated classmate Juno, played by Ellen Page.
From dramas to horror to comedies, Ceraย has had an incredibly diverse career, often choosing to star in more obscure and oddball projects than get involved in films where he must carry the movie. Most recently, Ceraย was tapped by David Lynch to star as the child of two iconic characters in his Twin Peaks revival.
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Emma Stone – Jules
Of all the talent involved with Superbad, Emma Stone owes the film the most for helping establish herself as a young talent to watch, slowly building steam after this film with supporting roles in movies like The Rocker, The House Bunny, and Zombieland.
Stone’s star continued to rise, taking on more prominent roles alongside even bigger talent in films like Crazy, Stupid Love, The Amazing Spider-Man, and The Help.
Much like Jonah Hill, Stone began to prove herself a master of many genres, earning Academy Award attention with her roles in films like Birdmanย and La La Land, with the latter earning her the Best Actress Oscar.
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Christopher Mintz-Plasse – Fogell
McLovin himself, Superbad marked Mintz-Plasse’sย acting debut, providing the lead characters with the perfect punching bag to be the butt of all their jokes.
The actor has Superbadย to thank, and blame, for allowing him the opportunity to play such a convincing “geeky best friend,” with Mintz-Plasseย going on to be typecast in a variety of projects, like Fright Night, Kick-Ass, and Neighbors.
Mintz-Plasseย can next be seen starring alongside James and Dave Franco in The Disaster Artist later this year, as well as reprising his role in the third animated How to Train Your Dragon sequel, coming some time in 2019.
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Seth Rogen – Officer Michaels
Thanks to collaborating with Judd Apatow early on in his career, the filmmaker regularlyย incorporated Rogen into a variety of his projects, beginning with Freaks & Geeks and continuing with The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.
Superbad allowed Rogen to flex his filmmaking muscles, in addition to his comedic chops, going on to add credits like producer, writer, and director to his burgeoning resume.
Not only is Rogenย associated with some of the biggest comedies each year since Superbad, including films like This is the End, Sausage Party, The Interview, and Neighbors.
Rogenย continues to diversify his range of talents, as last year saw the premiere of his adaptation of the Preacher comic book series, with its second season premiering later this year.
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Writer – Evan Goldberg
A childhood friend of Rogen’s, Goldberg began making a name for himself with the sketch comedy series Da Ali G Show, which earned his team of writers an Emmyย nomination.
Superbadย proved to be merely the beginning of Goldberg’s impressive career, giving film fans some of the most beloved comedies of each year, which included Pineapple Express, This is the End, and The Night Before.
Goldberg and Rogen conceived the idea for Superbadย when they were growing up together, a collaboration that continues to this day, as the two have developed, produced, and directed the Preacher TV series for AMC.
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Photo Credit: The Apatowย Company