Seth Rogen reveals why a ‘Pineapple Express’ sequel was never made

‘I think we probably wanted too much money. Studios, they don’t like giving away money. Weird thing’

A Pineapple Express sequel was in the works until it was shut down by Sony, Seth Rogen has revealed.

The 2008 comedy action film, co-written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg, followed Rogen and actor James Franco as stoners Dale and Saul in their misadventures after witnessing a murder. Following its release the movie quickly became a smash hit and cult favourite.

Pineapple Express grossed more than $100m (£76.43m) worldwide against a budget of only $27m (£20.64m). Given the film's financial success and popularity, fans were surprised that no sequel was ever produced.

Speaking as a guest on The Howard Stern Show last week, the actor said that Sony shot down the sequel due to a budget dispute.

“We tried to make one [a sequel] and thanks to the Sony hack you can actually find the email when Sony decided to kill the movie and not make it,” he said. “It was something we were very open to several years ago, but Sony was not that interested in it.”

The 2014 Sony Pictures hack released multiple confidential documents and email chains discussing forthcoming and unannounced movies.

According to a report from The Daily Beast, the leaked emails included exchanges between producer Judd Apatow and former Sony co-chairman Amy Pascal discussing the Pineapple Express sequel in 2014.

“I am so glad we are so close to getting Pineapple Express 2 figured out. I am very excited to make this thing real,” Apatow wrote in an email. “I am sure PE2 will do even better! Marijuana is so popular now! It’s on every corner.”

Apatow, however, reportedly wanted a $50m budget for the sequel while Sony executives insisted it be capped at $45m. As a result, the sequel was never given the green light.

In his interview, Rogen confirmed, “I think we probably wanted too much money. Studios, they don’t like giving away money. Weird thing.”