Seth Rogen confesses he kept thanking Penelope Cruz
Seth Rogen confesses he kept thanking Penélope Cruz while filming an intimate scene in their new movie "The Invite," joking that nerves kicked in because Cruz is married to Javier Bardem. The Superbad star shared the story on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, saying gratitude just kept coming out.
Key Takeaways
- Rogen said he kept saying "Thank you" while improvising a romantically charged scene with Cruz in "The Invite."
- He told guest host Ike Barinholtz the reaction mirrored how he would feel in real life: apologetic and thankful.
- Rogen joked he was nervous because Cruz is married to Oscar winner Javier Bardem, adding he doubts Bardem sees him as a threat.
- Director Olivia Wilde questioned the thank-yous on set; Cruz also pitched singing Sade in a romantic moment.
- Rogen said he hurt his shoulder for seven months after improvising a pants-off fall that the crew loved.
What did Seth Rogen confess about the sex scene?
Appearing on Tuesday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the 44-year-old actor recounted filming with Cruz, 52, for their new movie The Invite.
He said the pair were encouraged to improvise during a romantically charged moment that looked like it might lead to a hookup. Instead of staying in character the usual way, Rogen kept saying, "Thank you."
"What's actually funny in the scene is we were encouraged to improvise," he told guest host Ike Barinholtz, according to Page Six.
Wilde, who directed the film, asked why he kept thanking Cruz. Rogen said he did not know — it was simply what came out of his mouth. "All I have is gratitude," he added. "I would be apologetic and thankful. I'm sorry."
Why was Seth Rogen so nervous opposite Penélope Cruz?
Rogen, married to Lauren Miller since 2011, joked that filming the intimate scene felt risky because Cruz is married to fellow Oscar winner Javier Bardem.
"So, you're very worried about that," he said, before laughing that he does not think Bardem views him "as a legitimate threat in any way, shape or form."
The interview is the latest Hollywood set story circulating in celebrity breaking news, pairing Rogen's awkward humor with A-list co-star chemistry.
What else did Rogen and Wilde reveal about The Invite?
Rogen said several moments in the film were improvised. Cruz suggested singing Sade during one romantic scene — "sort of sexy, but also kind of hilarious," he recalled.
He also pitched struggling to get his pants off and falling down. The take landed with the crew, he said, but left him with a shoulder injury that lasted seven months.
In the movie, Wilde plays Angela opposite Rogen's Joe; their marriage is shaken when wealthy couple Pína (Cruz) and Hawk (Edward Norton) proposition them.
Wilde separately told the Table Manners podcast that Cruz unexpectedly kissed her during filming. Wilde said she was so shocked she looked into the lens and blurted "Cut. Namaste!" after briefly losing her composure.