Emma Watson Reflects on Walking Off This Is the End Set: ‘It Wasn’t My Sense of Humour’
In 2013, Emma Watson made a cameo appearance in the apocalyptic comedy This Is the End, directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The film features actors playing exaggerated versions of themselves during a catastrophic event. Watson’s participation was notable, given her association with more family-friendly roles.
During production, Watson encountered a scene that conflicted with her comedic sensibilities. The scene involved Danny McBride portraying a cannibal and Channing Tatum appearing as his gimp, restrained by a leash and wearing a leather mask. Uncomfortable with the content, Watson chose to leave the set. Seth Rogen later addressed this incident, stating, “I think sometimes when you read something, when it comes to life it doesn’t seem to be what you thought it was.” He emphasized that there were no hard feelings, noting, “She came back the next day to say goodbye. She helped promote the film.”
Watson herself reflected on her involvement in the film, acknowledging that the humor was outside her usual preferences. She remarked, “When I got the script I was like ‘okay, this is not my normal type of thing, not really always my sense of humour’, but like how could I miss out on a chance to work with the most impressive lineup of the best comedians in the world right now?”
Rogen later clarified misconceptions about the incident, asserting that Watson did not “storm off the set” and that the scene had evolved beyond what was originally scripted. He took responsibility for the miscommunication, stating, “I for sure should have communicated better and because I didn’t, she was put in an uncomfortable position.”
Ultimately, the scene was modified, and Rogen conceded that Watson’s concerns may have led to a better outcome, admitting, “She was probably right. It was probably funnier the way we ended up doing it.”
This incident underscores the importance of clear communication and respect for individual comfort levels in collaborative creative processes. It also highlights Watson’s commitment to her principles and the professionalism exhibited by both parties in resolving the situation amicably.
