With “The Interview” being made available digitally for the holiday season, where it made $15 million in its first four days, the film’s stars and directors were able to put together a unique experience for fans.
They scheduled a live tweet of the film, synchronizing their viewing with as many fans as wanted to take part. James Franco, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg each participated in the live tweet, answering fan questions and taking viewers behind the scenes of the film that played a key role in the devastating cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Much of the content provided by the film’s stars (Franco and Rogen) and directors (Goldberg and Rogen) was anecdotal or silly, and likely made very little sense to anyone not watching the film with them, but there were a few interesting tidbits along the way.
We learned that Eminem wrote the rap that he performs in the comedy, why it is intentionally littered with “Lord of the Rings” jokes, and how much fun and fear there was working with a real tiger and a real tank.
One fan suggested showing Randall Park’s audition that landed him the part of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as a Blu-ray/DVD extra, while another proposed the Blu-ray/DVD commentary should include President Obama.
While the content of their live tweet may not have been particularly monumental, the event itself may well prove prescient as more films and creative teams jump on board this way to get fans interested in the chance to interact with the people behind it in real time.
We’ve gathered some of the best, funniest and most informative tweets from the live tweet of “The Interview” below.
I kept thinking “wow, eminem’s a good actor.” then I would remember he starred in a whole movie. #TheInterview
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 28, 2014
The publicist is kiiiiiinda based on my actual publicist. #TheInterview — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 28, 2014
It was really hard to make sure @RobLowe wasn’t a super handsome bald guy. We kinda pulled it off. #TheInterview
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 28, 2014
Me and @JamesFrancoTV are both MASSIVE LOTR fans and once we started with the jokes we couldn’t stop. #TheInterview — Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014
We filmed that party scene for 8 hours and that was how we ended up using. Satisfying and maddening all at once @Sethrogen
— Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014
It’s at this point that I gotta say that it’s fucking weird I’m watching this on TV right now. #TheInterview — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 28, 2014
Or it’s purposeful. Any joke you think might be a LOTR joke IS @ohitsmills #TheInterview
— Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014
That tiger is real and I’m really like ten feet in front of it and I was scared. #TheInterview — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 28, 2014
Again we find ourselves with a joke centered around buttonholes. Honestly @Sethrogen & I didn’t intend to make the movie so much bout butts
— Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014
We were gonna give Kim a big, epic entrance, but thought it would be funnier if he had a quiet, unassuming one. #TheInterview — Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 28, 2014
We should put it on the DVD! Good call I’ll ask @christianocon @parkrandall @Sethrogen
— Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014
I actually learned to drive the tank with Randall. Then I almost ran over seth and the camera crew! #TheInterview — James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 28, 2014
I kept the car from Spring Breakers, I might keep the tank from this film. #TheInterview
— James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 28, 2014
The people have spoken Mr. President! You, @sethrogen @jamesfrancotv & I must do a commentary together @Emmanuel_S18 @ChatFilm @BarackObama — Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014
We’re gonna get cracking’ on filming a pilot a few months from now and are freakin’ out with excitement! @jeanraphaeo @Preacher_AMC
— Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014
I heard Katie Perry wants me to sing on her next album with riff raff #TheInterview — James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 28, 2014
Thanks to online “news” outlets, you’ve probably seen this shot that’s coming up! #TheInterview
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 28, 2014
How can anyone get upset about this silly little scene? @Sethrogen @evandgoldberg #TheInterview — James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 28, 2014
Yeah it’s super weird to make a movie where pretty much everyone has already seen the end. @Sethrogen
— Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014
We came up with the whole idea before Dennis Rodman. Back when Kim Jong Il ran the country @raquelmperazzo @JamesFrancoTV @Sethrogen — Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 28, 2014