Knocked Up is one of the most memorable and iconic films of the noughties. The movie, which depicts the challenges faced by a couple who have a one-night stand and then get pregnant, was well-received by critics and viewers alike.
Members of the cast, including Seth Rogen, have spoken about how they love the film too. But one actor who doesn’t speak fondly of Knocked Up is Katherine Heigl, who portrayed protagonist Alison, who falls pregnant.
Heigl made a few comments about not liking the character she played back in 2008, and she also voiced her concerns with the film’s content in general. This led to tension between her and the film’s director Judd Apatow, and also may have compromised her celebrity status.
It’s been speculated that Heigl all but stopped getting work in Hollywood after she spoke out against the film. Read on to find out exactly how she feels about Knocked Up.
2007’s ‘Knocked Up’
In 2007, Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen starred in the Judd Apatow comedy Knocked Up, alongside Leslie Mann and Paul Rudd. The film tells the story of two people who have a one-night stand and then get pregnant.
The plot follows their relationship as they try to work things out for the sake of their growing baby.
Most critics responded favorably to the film, with some labeling the film as one of the greatest romantic comedies in Hollywood. Therefore, Katherine Heigl ruffled feathers when she spoke out criticizing the film, leading her former co-star Seth Rogen to respond with his perspective.
Seth Rogen Loved Working With Katherine Heigl
According to Hollywood Reporter, Seth Rogen revealed that he was surprised by Heigl’s comments because he had such a good time working with her on Knocked Up that he assumed she had a good time too.
“As we were making the movie, honestly, I was like, ‘I would make a dozen movies with [Heigl],'” Rogen admitted, explaining that the duo had such a good dynamic on-screen.
While Heigl never had anything negative to say about Rogen, she did take aim at the film itself, and later, the character she played.
Katherine Heigl’s Comments About 'Knocked Up'
In 2008, Katherine Heigl told Vanity Fair that she believed her role in Knocked Up, and Knocked Up itself, were “a little sexist." As the Independent reports, the actress went on to explain, “It paints the women as shrews, as humourless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys.”
The Character Katherine Heigl Plays In ‘Knocked Up’
Heigl’s comments about her character were perhaps what surprised Rogen the most: “I’m playing such a [expletive]; why is she being such a killjoy? Why is this how you’re portraying women?”
Despite her comments, Heigl later confirmed that she didn’t completely hate the film. Her explanation for her comments was, “I just didn’t like me.”
Seth Rogen Felt Betrayed After Katherine Heigl’s Comments
Even though Heigl has since come out to clear the air and confirm that she doesn’t hate Knocked Up, her initial comments still had an impact on Seth Rogen, who reportedly felt betrayed.
“People seemed to like [Knocked Up],” he said (via Hollywood Reporter). “We were funny together. I was having a really good time, and then when I heard afterward that she didn’t like it, that she seemed to not like the process, and she did not like the end product either, I think when that happens—also your trust feels somewhat betrayed.”
However, Rogen has said that he doesn’t hold his former co-star’s opinions against her and even sympathizes with her after she faced backlash from Hollywood.
“I respect the fact that perhaps she realizes that it has hurt her career, and I don’t want that to have happened to her at all because I’ve said a thousand stupid things and I really like her,” Rogen explained (via Hollywood Reporter).
“The only people who in this situation should in any way take anything from it is me and Judd because we’re the ones she was talking about. For other people to not work with her because she didn’t like her experience with us is — I think is crazy.”
Some Critics Agree That ‘Knocked Up’ Is Sexist
Katherine Heigl received a lot of flack for her comments, with some (including Seth Rogen) speculating that they got in the way of her getting more acting work. However, some critics have since come out to back Heigl up, claiming that Knocked Up is indeed sexist.
The main reasons why some critics have found the film to be sexist include the fact that Seth Rogen was given the best lines while Katherine Heigl only gets to laugh at them, and that Leslie Mann is depicted as a stereotypical nagging wife who gets her just desserts.
Yet plenty of viewers still enjoyed the film, regardless of how critics or even the cast felt about it.