Seth Rogen seeks Daniel Day-Lewis for The Studio season two, aiming to build on the show’s acclaimed ensemble and bring new depth to the Hollywood satire. This revelation comes as Rogen openly courted Day-Lewis, even making a personal request during a recent Variety interview in hopes of enticing the legendary actor out of retirement for a cameo.
Rogen Sets His Sights on Daniel Day-Lewis
The acclaimed first season of The Studio featured an impressive list of cameos, including Olivia Wilde, Bryan Cranston, Charlize Theron, and Steve Buscemi. Building on this foundation, Rogen is candid about his ambitions for season two as he attempts to attract Daniel Day-Lewis. In an interview this week, Rogen described Day-Lewis as “the greatest living actor” and suggested that exploring Day-Lewis’s unique acting process could bring something special to the show’s comedic take on Hollywood culture.
Rather than waiting for fate, Rogen made his intentions clear and reached out directly through the interview. He has not yet contacted Day-Lewis formally, but the appeal was unmistakable:
“Daniel, please consider a Zoom with us. We’ll pitch you a good idea!”
Rogen said. Day-Lewis, who retired from acting in 2017, recently changed his stance to participate in his son Ronan’s upcoming Anemone film, providing a glimmer of hope for Rogen’s wish.
Casting Dreams Extend Beyond Day-Lewis
The first season wasn’t just packed with notable actors—it also included celebrated filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, and Zack Snyder. As Rogen turns his attention to season two, he noted that James Cameron could be a great fit, praising both his genius and his well-publicized passionate approach: Cameron’s reputation for intensity, Rogen joked, would add spice to the show’s behind-the-scenes shenanigans.
Rogen’s enthusiasm is shared by his castmates, who also revealed their personal wish lists to Variety at Apple TV+’s FYC event in Hollywood. Chase Sui Wonders advocated for Kristen Stewart, imagining a clever storyline centered on identity politics, with both her character and Stewart’s navigating the complexities. She also named Al Pacino as a dream addition, while Ike Barinholtz suggested Leonardo DiCaprio, stating,
“He’s the guy. I don’t think he’s ever done a TV show.”
Though DiCaprio’s early television days on Growing Pains were mentioned, his return to TV would certainly be a major event.
Dewayne Perkins put Zendaya forward as his ideal guest star, reflecting the cast’s drive to attract top contemporary talent. Meanwhile, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, recently recognized for her role on Curb Your Enthusiasm, chose Larry David from that very series as her pick.
Critical Response to The Studio’s Debut
The Studio premiered in March to notable acclaim, with Rolling Stone reviewing the show as
“a Hilarious Love-Hate Letter to Hollywood.”
The review highlighted specific standout moments, singling out Bryan Cranston’s comic performance in a season-ending two-parter:
“When it hits — like a season-ending two-parter that serves as a reminder of what an astonishingly good, and game, comic performer Cranston was in his pre-Walter White days — it’s a hilarious reminder of what can happen in that ridiculous town when enough talented people are all working in unison at the top of their game,”
the review said. —Rolling Stone
The Future for The Studio and Its Guests
With Seth Rogen seeking Daniel Day-Lewis for The Studio season two and the cast voicing hopes for appearances by icons like Stewart, Pacino, DiCaprio, Zendaya, and Larry David, the series’ next installment promises ambition and potential surprises. If Day-Lewis or any wish-list guest agrees, it could elevate the show’s continued exploration of Hollywood culture and further cement its appeal among both viewers and industry creatives. As anticipation mounts, audiences will watch to see whether Rogen’s direct appeals—possibly starting with a single Zoom—lead to unforgettable new moments on screen.
