Seth Rogen and James Franco have taken the pineapple express to Oscar credibility.
As if expanding the Best Picture nominee pool and potentially nixing the Best Song category wasn’t enough to modernize the usually staid Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, surely its welcoming of cinema’s preeminent bong jokesters is.
Rogen and Franco are two of 134 new artists and movie industry executives who have been extended invitations to join the Academy and, in doing so, secure voting rights for all future Oscar ceremonies beginning in 2010.
The smokin’ Pineapple Express duo are joined by fellow Judd Apatow repertory players Michael Cera, Paul Rudd and Jane Lynch, along with Casey Affleck, Viola Davis, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Taraji P. Henson, James McAvoy, Tyler Perry, Danny Boyle, Emile Hirsch, Michelle Williams, Amy Ryan, Slumdog soundtracker A.R. Rahman, Peter Gabriel, Tom Cruise’s producing partner-in-crime, Paula Wagner, Milk man Dustin Lance Black and Mr. Oscar himself, Hugh Jackman.
“These filmmakers have, over the course of their careers, captured the imagination of audiences around the world,” AMPAS head honcho Sid Ganis said in a statement. “It’s this kind of talent and creativity that make up the Academy, and I welcome each of them to our ranks.”
The new members, which keeps the Academy’s voting membership to just under 6,000, will be welcomed at an invitation-only reception in Beverly Hills this September.
Here’s the complete list of invitees under the cut:
I came across some great pics of Paul from his high school yearbooks and just had to add them to the galleries!

Paul is up for some Teen Choice Awards this year. Look below to see which categories he’s nominated in! The awards will air on Monday August 10 on FOX so make sure you tune in and watch!
Choice Movie: Bromantic Comedy
I Love You, Man
Marley & Me
Pineapple Express
Role Models
Tropic ThunderChoice Movie: Rockstar Moment
Jim Carrey, Yes Man
Zac Efron, 17 Again
Anne Hathaway, Bride Wars
Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, I Love You, Man
Mike Tyson, Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis, The Hangover
Just added 3 more Photoshoot Outtake Sessions of Paul to the galleries. Also Paul’s Movies “I Love You, Man” and “Role Models” have been nominated for the 2009 Teen Choice Awards for Choice Movie: Bromantic Comedy and Paul and Jason were nominated for Choice Movie: Rockstar Moment for “I Love You, Man” so be sure and Vote!
Even though he isn’t officially credited in the movie, Paul is set to appear in the upcoming summer comedy Year One with Jack Black and Michael Cera. We have added 2 stills of Paul playing Abel.
Rudd and Witherspoon Team Up for a Romantic Comedy
Great news to report. One of my favorite actors is in negotiations to co-star in a new film. I’m referring to none other than the very talented and very funny Paul Rudd. I can’t explain how much of a fan I am of this guy. I watched Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers just because he was in it. Now, if that’s not devotion then I don’t know what is. On a lighter note Variety is reporting that Rudd is in talks to star in an untitled project written, directed, and produced by the legendary James L. Brooks. The film is a romantic comedy and will feature Reese Witherspoon as the female lead.
Owen Wilson will also co-star in the film, but as Rudd’s nemesis. Both men are involved in a love triangle that centers around Witherspoon. Rudd’s character is a “white-collar executive,” while Wilson is a professional baseball pitcher. Most of the details regarding the film are being kept under wraps, even it’s real title. At the moment it’s being called How Do You Know, which screams fake in my opinion.
The movie is set to begin filming this summer, which might prove problematic for Rudd. The actor is also in negotiations to star in the comedy Dinner for Schmucks which will begin shooting this fall.
Source: Screencrave.com
I Love You, Man will bring its “man-dates” to Blu-ray on Disc on August 11, day-and-date with DVD.
The comedy stars Paul Rudd as an engaged dude without a prospect for a best man at his wedding. To remedy the situation, he goes searching for the perfect male friend via a series of “man-dates.” Co-starring in the comedy are Jason Segel, Rashida Jones, Iron Man 2 director Jon Favreau and Jaime Pressley.
I Love You, Man on Blu-ray will be offered in 1.85:1 1080p video and 5.1 Dolby TrueHD audio. Bonus features shared between DVD and Blu-ray are as follows:
* Commentary
* Making-of featurette
* Outtakes
* Deleted scenes
* Gag reel
Retail pricing for I Love You, Man on Blu-ray has been set at $39.99. Amazon pricing should clock in around $28 which I’ll share with a pre-order link when available.
Source: thehroom.com & rashidajonesfan.com
PAUL RUDD - Rudd Survived Armed Robbery
Hollywood star PAUL RUDD narrowly escaped death when a mugger shot at him and missed during a robbery in California nearly 15 years ago.
The Knocked Up star was held up by a gunman after leaving a deli in the San Fernando Valley. The robber demanded Rudd’s wallet, and threatened to shoot the actor unless he handed it over.
When Rudd insisted he had no money, the agitated crook pulled the trigger and a bullet whizzed through the star’s hair - missing his skull by millimetres.The gunman then grabbed the actor’s backpack and fled. Rudd recalls, “I just remember the sound of it. I remember people in the parking lot being really freaked out. But I just got very calm.”
Source: ContactMusic.com
An Anchorman sequel?! While out promoting his new movie. Land of the Lost, Will Ferrell told radio DJ’s that he is meeting next week to figure out the Anchorman sequel.
Will Ferrell is getting fans excited with the announcement that there may be an Anchorman sequel. Ferrell revealed that he had a meeting with the creative minds behind the 2004 hit Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” and has begun re-assembling the film’s cast, which includes Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and Christina Applegate.
Always the comedian, Will joked that the meeting was to convince Steve Carell and Paul Rudd to take a pay cut, because he certainly won’t.
The Legend of Ron Burgundy continues, and I can’t wait to see more of the man, who is kind of a big deal, with the perfect hair and sexy mustache!
Will Ferrell has confirmed there will be an “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’ sequel. The comedic actor-and-writer has revealed the team behind the hit 2004 movie - including actors Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner and producer Judd Apatow - are meeting soon to discuss plans for a follow-up to the comedy film about a newsreader in the 1970s.
He said: “Yeah we’re trying to figure out when and how we should do that. In fact, I think next week we’re going to meet with all the guys and see if we can actually pull this off.” But the 41-year-old star - who penned the script for ‘Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy’ and played the title role - says there are certain issues that need to be addressed before they can go ahead with the movie.
He explained: “Because especially with Steve Carrell and Paul Rudd, they’re in different places with their careers it’s a lot harder to get us all together. “And believe me, I’m not taking a pay cut, no way, absolutely not!” Rumours of a sequel have been around since early 2008 and director Adam McKay is expected to work on the upcoming project.
I also added a few more Anchorman Promo Stills to accompany this news
For those of you who caught the season finale of Saturday Night Live hosted by Will Ferrell, you would have caught Paul in the final sketch “Goodnight Saigon” also featuring celebs such as Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Moss, Anne Hathaway and Artie Lange. We have a few caps of his appearance. I also have a video but am having troubles uploading it but hopefully it will be up shortly!