Seth Rogen’s The Studio Has The Perfect Ending Already Set Up (If He’s Brave Enough To Do It)

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Apple TV+’s show was a standout in 2025, largely because it cleverly captured the world it was making fun of. Creators Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg brought years of Hollywood knowledge to the series, finding humor in the often-hidden realities of the industry. While the show’s many celebrity cameos added to the effect, it was the focus on small, telling details – like a studio executive wanting recognition at awards shows – that truly revealed how big decisions are made, such as approving a new film.

I’m really excited that The Studio is already filming season two! It looks like we’re going to see even more drama at Continental Studios with Matt Remick, and I’m hoping the show has a long run. But thinking ahead, I believe I’ve figured out the perfect way to end Matt’s story as studio head – if Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are brave enough to draw from some challenging moments in their own careers. I’m eager to see where they take it!

The Studio Should End With The “Continental Hack”

The latest episode of The Town podcast features host Matt Belloni interviewing Michael Lynton, the former CEO of Sony Pictures, about his new book, From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn’t Own You. They discuss the notorious 2014 Sony hack, which happened after the studio released The Interview, a comedy film about Kim Jong Un. The hack, allegedly carried out by a North Korean-sponsored group as retaliation, led to leaked internal emails, widespread media coverage, and threats of terrorist attacks as Sony struggled to get theaters to show the film.

Lynton believes the root of these issues stems from his decision to approve The Interview, even though its content was controversial. He admits he wanted to be seen as peers with the actors and felt pressured to stop always being the one to object. In that moment, he prioritized his desire to be included over his better judgment.

I had a vague feeling of nervousness about the project, but I couldn’t pinpoint why. Amy Pascal and I decided the best way to ease my concerns was to do a table read with the actors. We were in a competitive situation, so we needed to decide quickly. I walked into a room full of people – actors and executives – and I was the only one wearing a suit, which was usually my role. The read-through started, and it was really funny – everyone was laughing. Afterwards, people were excited and immediately wanted to move forward with the project.

After about ten years on the job, we usually had a very careful process for approving projects. But this time, we completely ignored it, and I decided to move forward anyway.

The conversation highlighted the strong parallels between this story and typical events on The Studio. Matt’s constant desire for approval from the filmmakers and actors he admires is a recurring joke and the root of many of his issues. This demonstrates the show’s insightful understanding of the life of a studio executive and suggests this storyline would fit perfectly within its narrative.

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg have talked about revisiting the 2014 Sony hack in their show, The Studio. In an August 2025 interview with Deadline, Rogen admitted they’ve given it serious thought. However, they decided against it because the hack was such a unique and specific event that it didn’t quite fit with the overall focus of the show.

We’ve discussed the Sony hack a lot, but we want the show to focus on everyday experiences in the entertainment industry. There was a debate about including it, but it felt too unusual and specific to us. It was a one-time event that didn’t really resonate with the broader industry. Instead, we’re aiming for relatable topics, like the struggles of test screenings – that would make a good episode.

Seth Rogen is right about how shows with ongoing stories need to stay focused. If The Studio veers too far from its core themes too often, it could end up like The Morning Show – losing its way. However, as a way to wrap up the series, and with more freedom to be ambitious, a grand finale could be exactly what Matt deserves.

The storyline has enough depth for several episodes. It could start subtly in the early episodes of the final season, with Matt becoming increasingly anxious about a controversial comedy project he approved. Once the main plot begins, the characters would all face the fallout of their private communications being made public. Matt’s concern with his public image would escalate dramatically – the real-life situation even drew a comment from President Obama! The fact that Matt might have inadvertently created a similar situation to the Sony hack could be a recurring joke throughout the arc.

Beyond that, Lynton’s personal experience directly relates to the main themes of The Studio. He sees this incident as a mistake stemming from a deep-seated emotional need from his childhood, one that unexpectedly resurfaced and overwhelmed him. A skilled writer could use this to give the show a final, impactful look into Matt’s deteriorating mental state as his career and reputation crumble, forever defined by this single error in judgment.

What better way could there be to end this show when it’s finally time?

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2026-02-20 21:52