Seth Rogen Was 'Very Nervous' Directing Martin Scorsese on The Studio: It's a Director's 'Worst Nightmare in the Entire World' 

• Seth Rogan opened up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert about directing Martin Scorsese in his new show The Studio
• The Oscar Award-winning filmmaker plays a fictional version of himself in the premiere episode
• Rogen said he was "incredibly scared" of the experience.
  

Seth Rogen is working with Hollywood royalty. 

The actor, 42, said during a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that directing Martin Scorsese in his new Apple TV+ show The Studio was a "nightmare."

The show premiered its first two episodes on Wednesday, March 26. In the debut episode, the Oscar Award-winning filmmaker plays a fictional version of himself. 

When host Stephen Colbert asked Rogen about his experience directing Scorsese, he said, "It was great. We wrote a part that was very specific for Martin. It was Martin Scorsese, so he could only play Martin Scorsese."

The actor added, "We sent it to his agent, and we were so excited when we heard that he liked it, and he wanted to do it. And then I was confronted with the very real reality that I had to now direct Martin Scorsese in something. As a director, it’s your worst nightmare in the entire world. Having to direct one of the greatest living filmmakers in something."

Rogen said he was "incredibly scared" of the experience. He added that even his mother picked up on his nerves as she called him on the day of filming and said, "You must be terrified. This is the scariest thing you could possibly have to do."

Colbert then asked, "How do you shake it off? How do you prep for that?"

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"It was terrible," Rogen replied. "I over-prepared, actually, because the show, we shoot in a very specific way where we use one camera, and it's all long continuous takes. There's no cutting. It's long continuous shots and you don't usually shoot comedy like that. And so I was very nervous Martin Scorsese would not like it."

Due to that fear, Rogen came up with a backup plan. He told Colbert that he "hired a whole second camera crew" just in case Scorsese complained about there not being two cameras on set. "I stashed them in a hotel room somewhere," the actor explained. "On the off chance Scorsese was like, 'Where's the second camera?' I wanted to be like, 'They're right here. I got them right here.' "

The Studio stars Rogen as Matt Remick, the newly appointed head of a film company called Continental Studios. The comedy series follows Matt and his team of executives as they deal with difficult Hollywood talent, corporate figures and more to continue making worthwhile movies. 

"With their power suits masking their never-ending sense of panic, every party, set visit, casting decision, marketing meeting and award show presents them with an opportunity for glittering success or career-ending catastrophe," the synopsis teases. "As someone who eats, sleeps and breathes movies, it’s the job Matt’s been pursuing his whole life, and it may very well destroy him."

The show is created by Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory and Frida Perez. Rogen and Goldberg also direct and executive produce. 

Alongside Rogen, the cast stars Catherine O'Hara, Ike Barinholt, Chase Sui Wonders and Kathryn Hahn. Scorsese is just one of many A-listers making a cameo in the series, including Ice Cube, Jean Smart, Adam Scott, Dave Franco and Zac Efron.

New episodes of The Studio air Wednesdays on Apple TV+.