Hollywood actor and filmmaker Seth Rogen has revealed plans to direct a feature film next year, marking his return to the director's chair for the first time in 12 years. His last directorial outing was the 2014 political satire 'The Interview', a film whose release triggered an international crisis and left Rogen, by his own admission, 'a little gun-shy' about stepping behind the camera again.

Why The Interview Changed Everything

Co-directed with his longtime collaborator Evan Goldberg, 'The Interview' featured Rogen and James Franco as journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, played by Randall Park. The film's premise provoked an extraordinary response: North Korea threatened action against the United States if it was released, and Sony Pictures was subsequently hacked in a cyberattack widely attributed to state-linked actors. The fallout was severe enough that Rogen has described the episode as one that 'almost started a war.'

What Rogen Said About His Directorial Comeback

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Rogen reflected candidly on the long hiatus. 'It has been a while. The last one we did almost started a war, so that made us maybe a little gun-shy for a little while,' he said. 'We eased back in through television and it seemed to go well, so we do talk about maybe, hopefully, directing a film next year actually. We're not the biggest problem anymore.'

In the intervening years, Rogen channelled his creative energy into television projects, which he described as a deliberate and gradual re-entry into the directing space.

The Invite and Working with Olivia Wilde

Rogen's most recent on-screen appearance is in 'The Invite', a film directed by Olivia Wilde, in which he stars alongside Penelope Cruz, Edward Norton, and Wilde herself. Freed from directorial duties, Rogen said he genuinely enjoyed the experience of focusing solely on acting. 'It's nice when there's a conversation happening over there and you're like, 'Normally I'd be a part of that conversation that everyone looks pretty miserable to be a part of'. And I can just scroll Instagram and talk to Edward,' he said.

Rogen was notably complimentary of Wilde's dual role as director and actor, calling her approach 'bold' and 'really impressive.' 'She was taking big swings both as an actor and director,' he added.

The James Franco Question

Rogen also addressed his estrangement from James Franco, his collaborator on 'The Interview' and several other projects. After Franco was accused of sexual misconduct in 2018 — allegations Franco denied — Rogen publicly cut ties with him. He has since stated he has 'no plans' to work with Franco again. Franco has largely remained out of the Hollywood spotlight since the controversy.

What Comes Next

With Rogen signalling a possible directorial return in 2026, industry watchers will be keen to see what project he chooses to helm — and whether it carries the same provocateur energy that defined 'The Interview'. A decade of television experience and a more settled public profile suggest a filmmaker who is ready, if cautious, to re-enter the arena.