"Apocalypse" is now for Rogen, Goldberg

By Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Can the end of the world be funny?

Mandate Pictures thinks so, and it's turning an Internet trailer that writer/actor Seth Rogen and his pals did on the subject into a feature film.

"Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse" will be written by Rogen and his writing partner, Evan Goldberg, and will star Rogen and Jay Baruchel.

The story revolves around two guys who, with the end the world unfolding and the planet invaded by monsters, are ready to kill each other after being cooped up together for too long.

Goldberg and Jason Stone came up with the story, and Stone directed a short trailer for it in 2007 in hopes that the concept could one day be turned into a movie.

One day came sooner than later when Mandate, which has been looking for ways to continue its push into comedy after its massive success with "Juno," aggressively pursued the project and beat out several suitors.

The plan is to shoot the film in 2009, working within Rogen's packed schedule. He's currently working with Adam Sandler on Judd Apatow's latest directorial effort, an untitled comedy, and then plans to shoot "The Green Hornet," which he and Goldberg are now writing, early next year. That action comedy has a June 2010 release date, recently pushed back a year.

Rogen and Goldberg's next comedy is this summer's "Pineapple Express."