Five Facts You Didn’t Know About the Movie Pineapple Express
Ready for some classic stoner fun? It’s time to turn on a movie and bliss out. Pineapple Express, the classic stoner film from 2008 starring James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Danny McBride was put back on Netflix this summer. This is great news for stoners and film fans alike.
November 22, 2020
Seth Rogen tweeted, “Pineapple Express is back on Netflix. Watch the film the way we intended: on your couch while smoking weed.”
Don’t mind if we do!
But first, let’s take a look at some fun facts about Pineapple Express to get the ball rollin’.
Seth Rogen and his co-writer rolled all of the joints
There’s nothing more painful than watching someone try and fail to roll joints. Now imagine watching your movie crew stumble as they try to roll nearly 100 joints for your film.
Seth Rogen wasn’t going to let that happen.
But it wasn’t just regular joints they needed to be rolled. It was cross-shaped joints that took more time and skill to create.
And he rolled every single one alongside his co-writer. That’s dedication.
The actors sustained injuries on set
Who needs stunt doubles when you can just go for it?
Seth Rogen’s finger was broken while filming a fight scene. But that’s just the tip of the injury iceberg on the Pineapple Express set.
Danny McBride had his head cracked open on set, according to a Seth Rogen tweet. This happened when James Franco hit him over the head with a bong. Ouch!
That’s not it for injuries, though! James Franco was also hurt on set. In fact, the headband Franco wears throughout the movie is a direct result of the injuries he sustained during filming.
During a scene where Franco is running through the woods, he accidentally smacks his head on a screw attached to a tree. This resulted in the need to get stitches, hence the headband covering any evidence of the injury.
James Franco doesn’t smoke weed
Just like you can enjoy a good stoner movie from time to time without indulging in the herb, apparently, James Franco can play a stoner without being one himself.
Unlike Seth Rogen, who has proven to have a lot of experience with weed, James Franco is not a big smoker. In fact, in 2014 he stated that he hadn’t smoked weed in a very long time. He said it makes it hard to function and causes anxiety.
This is a bummer for his pal Seth Rogen, who once said in an interview, “This is really depressing for me to say … I’ve never smoked weed with James Franco because he doesn’t smoke weed. That’s why he’s such a good actor! It’s really sad, actually.”
Perhaps the best part of learning that James Franco doesn’t smoke weed is the insight into how he achieves his stoner look. According to Franco, all he has to do is pretend the wind is in his eyes.
It’s pretty convincing!
There were lots of improvisations on set
Some of the best things in life don’t always go as planned. Pineapple Express is a great example of this. Instead of following the script exactly as planned, many changes were made throughout the movie.
For example, Danny McBride’s character was supposed to die early on in the film. The stars thought he was such a funny character they ended up keeping him for the whole film.
Additionally, James Franco and Seth Rogen’s characters were cast opposite to the final product. Franco wanted to switch roles from the original writing, and Rogen didn’t care either way so he swapped characters.
Another example of the (many) improvisations onset is the diner scene near the end of the movie. It was not written for the film, and the actors instead improvised a useable scene on the spot.
Bryan Cranston was rejected from the role of the drug dealer for not being scary enough
You gotta love these kinds of twists. Bryan Cranston, the actor who plays Walter White in Breaking Bad, was first rejected from playing a drug dealer in Pineapple Express because he wasn’t scary enough.
The movie’s producer, Judd Apatow, said, “Bryan Cranston auditioned. He may have even read at a table…and I said “I don’t think he seems scary enough to seem like a real drug dealer.”
Of course, the same year Pineapple Express came out is when the TV series Breaking Bad premiered. Cranston went on to win three Primetime Emmy’s for his performance as a meth-making drug dealer.
It’s safe to say it worked out well for everyone involved.
What came first, the strain or the movie?
There is some debate about the origins of the strain Pineapple Express.
According to Seth Rogen, there was no strain called Pineapple Express at the time of the movie. Others say the already-existing strain got more popular because of the movie.
What we do know is that the Pineapple Express is a term for specific weather patterns. It’s when strong and persistent moisture flows from high precipitation across the Hawaiian Islands, making its way to the Pacific coast.
So which came first, the movie or the strain? We’ll let you decide.
The strain many of us have come to know and love is fruity and pineapple-y, as the name suggests. It’s a sativa-dominant hybrid with uplifting and euphoric effects.
Pineapple Express flower’s parent genetics are Trainwreck and Hawaiian. This combination is a fruity, flavorful blend of happiness-inducing bud.
The strain is best for daytime use as it often gives a burst of energy. It may creep up on you a bit, but you won’t find yourself sinking into the couch as much as other evening-use strains.
Ready to sit down and light up?
Now that we’ve filled your mind with some interesting Pineapple Express facts, it’s time to sit down and enjoy a classic stoner comedy.
Want to join in on the fun with your own Pineapple Express? Stop by our Spokane dispensary or Bellingham weed store to see what we have in stock!
Our 5 favorite strains to smoke when watching Pineapple Express!
We love the strain Pineapple Express, so what’s better than watching Pineapple Express while smoking all the different Pineapple Cannabis varieties out there! Check out our 5 favorite Pineapple strains to blaze while you watch the movie Pineapple Express! What’s your favorite Pineapple strain?
Search for Pineapple strains at Piece of Mind Cannabis North Spokane by clicking here.
Search for Pineapple strains at Piece of Mind Cannabis Bellingham by clicking here.
Golden Pineapple by Phat Panda
Golden Pineapple is a cross of Golden Goat and Pineapple Kush, this sativa-dominant hybrid has a tropical pineapple flavor. It delivers feelings of relaxation while maintaining physical and mental tranquility that leans to the uplifting side
Purple Pineapple Express by Constellation Cannabis
Purple Pineapple Express is a cross of Pineapple Express and The Purps. This strain produces relaxing body sensations and cerebral effects. Purple Pineapple has tasty grape and pineapple flavors.
Pineapple Express by Budco
Pineapple Express, with flavors of sweet tropical fruit and pungent earthiness, this hybrid will leave you feeling uplifted and relaxed. Pineapple Express is a perfect choice for times when you just need to get stuff done. With its heavy sativa leanings, this tasty strain provides a boost in all the right directions.
Pineapple Tart by Subdivision
Pineapple Tart is a cross of Ice Cream Cake and Pineapple Sorbet. With notes of sweet and sour, reminiscent of a real pineapple tart! Enjoy a sweet and candy like flavor with a relaxing and euphoric high.
Pineapple Upsidedown Cake by Phat Panda
Pineapple Upsidedown Cake, this tropical sativa-dominant hybrid promotes a positive mindset and emits tropical, fruity flavors. Great for sharing with friends and outdoor activities. These are bong buddies, or smaller nugs that are perfect for bowl packing on the fly.
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