This half-month’s Rolling Stone has a fairly informative feature on Pineapple Express. One new tidbit is that director David Gordon Green, who always seemed like an odd choice given that his previous films were all indie dramas, was Danny McBride‘s idea. 

Apatow and Rogen had met the actor Danny McBride on Knocked Up. Eventually, they cast McBride as Red in Pineapple Express. Just as important, they listened when McBride sang the praises of director David Gordon Green, his former college classmate [at North Carolina School of the Arts].  Green has spent his entire career directing critically acclaimed micro-indie films, including All the Real Girls and George Washington. Green signed on and immediately saw Franco’s role as key to the film. "I remember seeing True Romance with Brad Pitt as the stoner, and everyone in the audience cheering whenever he came on the screen," says Green. "I always wanted to know – what’s his life like? That’s what I wanted from James."  

Using Floyd from True Romance as a character template is a pretty sweet idea. But can’t a guy say nice things about another guy without it being described as "Singing his praises?" That makes it sound really super queer.

More stuff from the article after the jump.

Franco hung out with stoners for research.  Sadly, it wasn’t you.

Before shooting, Apatow’s assistant, Andrew Epstein, and Franco spent days with pot smokers in the Los Angeles area, trying to capture the laid-back vibe.  "James doesn’t smoke, but he could just sit there for hours and observe and talk with the guys," says Epstein.  One of the pot guys was eventually hired as a crew member so he could provide on-set guidance [I really hope he had a nametag that said "Pot Guy".]

Whoa whoa whoa, hold the phone there, Cheech, James Franco doesn’t smoke weed?  Have you watched this clip?  But that’s the story apparently – Seth Rogen is the real-life stoner, Franco the laid-back intellectual. In fact Rogen was originally set to play the drug dealer in the movie until Apatow had them switch, for shits and giggles.  Some of their real-life interaction: 

"I just don’t want to say it in front of him," says Franco, jerking a finger toward his friend.  He flashes the killer grin that launched a thousand detention fantasies. [Wait, what?  Did the writer just make a prison rape reference?] But the smile quickly fades and he doesn’t cough up the goods.

"Do it, James," says Rogen, his ’07 Jew-fro replaced by a security-guard buzz cut. "I need to know. I promise. I won’t laugh."

Franco proceeds.

"I’m going to Paris to learn French.  I eventually want to get a Ph.D. in literature, and a lot of the programs want you to be able to read in two languages."

Franco glances at his pal with worry.  Rogen gives his best "I’m listening" nod.  Franco continues.

"Then I’m going to be collaborating with an artist named Carter.  It’s on an installation he’s doing at an art gallery."

Silence.  Rogen furrows his brow, looks at Franco and solemnly nods his head.  "That’s cool."  Franco exhales.

But then Rogen’s straight face deserts him.  Out comes his giant bear of a laugh.  "No, it is cool, but it’s also a little gay."

After that, Franco plans to take a break from Hollywood to study writing at Columbia (The same program in which I’m currently enrolled, incidentally.  What?  Stop looking at me like that…).  Rogen’s next project is Funny People with Apatow and Adam Sandler, and working on his script for Green Hornet.  My plan is the nachos, possibly with extra cheese, thanks for asking.