Michael Cera's Shocking Revelation: How Fame Almost Drove Him to Quit Acting After Superbad
Michael Cera contemplated leaving the acting world post-Superbad due to the overwhelming effect of fame, which left him feeling paranoid and strange
Superbad actor Michael Cera reflects on the detrimental effects of fame that accompanied his role in the popular comedy, causing him to question his career choice. Directed by Greg Mottola and produced by Judd Apatow, Superbad was released in 2007 and features Cera as Evan and Jonah Hill as Seth, two high school seniors navigating their final weeks of school and preparing for a pivotal party leading up to college. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Cera candidly discusses the negative impact of the fame he gained from the film, prompting him to reconsider his desire to pursue acting. See Cera's complete statement below.
The experience was quite overwhelming. Walking down the street became a challenge as fame made me feel extremely uncomfortable in my own skin, leaving me with a sense of paranoia and strangeness. While there were many great aspects to it, such as meeting incredible individuals, there were also negative energies that I struggled to cope with.
One particular example would be encountering drunk individuals. Although they may recognize and enthusiastically approach me, it can become a toxic situation. As a child, people often felt entitled to physically grab me, lacking respect for my personal space. I lacked the knowledge on how to establish boundaries and gain the respect I deserved.
There came a point where I no longer desired to accept jobs that would further increase my fame. I found myself going through a sort of crisis and was not truly enjoying the attention I was receiving. I questioned whether or not I should continue pursuing acting as a career. Despite these doubts, I had already made a commitment to star in "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" and decided to follow through with it. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for that opportunity.
I realized that my ultimate goal wasn't just about constantly seeking more fame and attention. Instead, I wanted to be a working actor who could also find joy in my everyday life and the world that I have built for myself. This was the main aspect I was trying to figure out during this time.
Just How Popular Was Superbad?
An actor achieving unprecedented global fame from a comedy film may seem implausible in today's context, but it is crucial to acknowledge the stark differences in the movie industry during the mid-2000s. During that time, studio comedies were released in theaters and had the potential to become massive successes. An exemplary example is Superbad, which was produced with a modest budget of $20 million but managed to earn an astounding $170 million at the box office.
Additionally, the film garnered significant praise from critics, currently holding an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The success of Superbad propelled the careers of its cast members, such as Hill, Seth Rogen, Bill Hader, Emma Stone, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who all went on to attain remarkable achievements in the industry. Rogen and Evan Goldberg, who co-wrote the film, became prominent figures within the comedy movie landscape. The enduring popularity of Superbad is evident in the ongoing demands for a sequel even fifteen years later.
After Superbad, Cera went on to star in Juno, Year One, and Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. He then showcased his voice acting skills in The Lego Batman Movie and later appeared in Molly's Game. Most recently, Cera made an appearance in an episode of Black Mirror and is now scheduled to play the role of Allan in Barbie. Although Superbad may have caused him to doubt his career choice, it is clear that the movie industry has benefited from his decision to persevere.
