Judd Apatow has reflected on his controversial jokes in the 40-Year-Old Virgin, insisting they were ‘meant as compliments’.
The filmmaker, 57, has worked on some of the biggest comedies, producing Anchorman, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Step Brothers and many more.
He made his directorial debut behind the cameras on the outrageous 2005 comedy, which followed Steve Carell as a shy 40-year-old shop worker, who hopes to lose his virginity to customer Trish (Catherine Keener).
Paul Rudd, Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jane Lynch, Mindy Kaling, Kat Dennings, Jonah HIll, Stormy Daniels and Leslie Mann are also among the cast.
Unpacking his efforts in a new interview to celebrate the movie’s 20-year anniversary, Judd was questioned about Seth’s previous remarks about regretting the scene where his character states: ‘You know how I know you’re gay?’
Discussing his thoughts on the dialog now, he told the Hollywood Reporter: ‘That was something that came up during an improvisation and would always get a giant reaction in all the previews.
‘It was all done with a very positive spirit.
‘Looking back, it’s hard to know if we would do it again. There’s just no way to be sure about that. I felt like all of the comments were meant as compliments.’
When asked about whether the 40-Year-Old Virgin could ever get made in present today, the Knocked Up director conceded that it may be a ‘bumpier road’.
‘I think it’s possible,’ he continued. ‘It might be a slightly bumpier road, but I think the studios would love comedies to do very well.
‘The hard part is when you make comedies, you are taking chances. You can’t just make them based on old IP. You can’t rely on just casting someone who’s been in a lot of hit movies.
‘The best comedies come from out of nowhere, and they are often based on unique and wild concepts. Most of them don’t even sound like they would work on paper.
‘People resisted making Anchorman for years. They resisted making Superbad for years. It requires someone to take a risk to have that giant breakthrough comedy.’
In that particular scene, David (Paul) and Cal (Seth) give a running list of ‘reasons’ of how they ‘know’ that the other is gay – including liking Coldplay, watching Maid in Manhattan and making ‘jean shorts’.
It was previously revealed that the footage, like much of the movie, was improvised by the main stars.
Seth previously shared his thoughts on some of his movies not aging well, and the reaction to that specific scene, during a candid chat with GQ in 2019.
Explaining that they have tried to evolve as time moves on, he said: ‘I think if you actually care, then it’s easy. We do not want people to feel bad when they’re watching our movies.
‘I’ve had people come up to me and be like, “That made me feel like s**t when I was in the movie theater and everyone was laughing about that.”
‘Like the “How I know you’re gay” thing”, it’s something people have been like, “It’s not fun to be in the theater when people are laughing at that, knowing what they’re probably actually laughing at.”
‘And I don’t want anyone to have that experience watching our movies.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.