Forgetting Sarah Marshall Almost Had A HIMYM Cameo (& Why It Didn’t)
Jason Segel wrote and starred in Forgetting Sarah Marshall while making HIMYM but the comedy nearly included an appearance from a beloved co-star.
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The Jason Segel movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall is full of famous actors, but the comedy almost had a How I Met Your Mother cameo as well – here’s why it didn’t happen. Forgetting Sarah Marshall was released in 2008, garnering positive reviews. Segel wrote the screenplay and made the film during a break from HIMYM, but, unfortunately, he was advised not to include one of his co-stars.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall follows TV composer Peter (Segel) as he travels to Hawaii to get over a devastating breakup. However, he quickly discovers his girlfriend, Sarah (Kristen Bell), is vacationing at the same resort, accompanied by her new rock star boyfriend, Aldous Snow (Russell Brand). Although the movie marked Segel’s first leading role, he was already playing Marshall Erikson in ensemble sitcom HIMYM, a budding environmental lawyer and best friend of the protagonist, Ted Mosby (Josh Radnor).
Segel now has a successful film career, but he remains best known for HIMYM, which almost lead to his friend and co-star Neil Patrick Harris landing a role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. In an interview with CBS’ Watch! Magazine, Harris revealed, “I really wanted to do a small part in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” Ironically, Harris’ connection to Segel is what blocked the HIMYM cameo from happening, although it was arguably for the benefit of the movie. However, it wasn’t Harris and Segel’s only opportunity to work together.
The HIMYM cast shares terrific chemistry and developed a close bond over the years, so it’s little wonder people would like to see them reunite on another project. During Harris’ joint interview with Robin Scherbatsky actress Cobie Smulders, the pair were asked if they’d considered this possibility. Harris recalled how he and Segel had discussed appearing together in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, only for plans to fall through. He explained that Segel was told, “It’ll be hard for people to see the two of you in a scene together without thinking you’re Marshall and Barney.” Harris famously played notorious womanizer Barney Stinson, quickly becoming HIMYM’s breakout character. Barney received increasingly prominent storylines each season, eventually landing Marshall and Ted jobs with his employer, Goliath National Bank. Segel and Harris were fantastic together and it would have been entertaining to see them cross paths in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, but it’s hard to disagree with the reason why the cameo never happened.
It’s unknown which part Harris would have played but watching him alongside HIMYM co-star Jason Segel could have simply proved distracting. Harris understood the reasoning, stating, “It makes sense. It would be hard for Cobie and me to be in a rom-com together without people thinking RoBarn.” He was, of course, referring to Barney and Robin’s popular HIMYM romance. Segel presumably agreed with abandoning Harris’ role. He was aiming to advance his film career and, as he would later admit to GQ, never planned on playing the same character for so long. Removing the proposed HIMYM cameo from Forgetting Sarah Marshall helped distance Segel from Marshall Erikson, even if Peter and Marshall shared some similarities. Harris’ absence certainly never harmed the movie, which boasts appearances from the likes of Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill, and Kristen Wiig, in addition to That ’70s Show star Mila Kunis as Segel’s love interest.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall never had a HIMYM cameo, but Harris did attend the premiere and eventually appeared in a different Segel film. Although they never shared a scene, Harris made a brief cameo as himself in 2011’s The Muppets, which Segel also co-wrote. Several years have passed since How I Met Your Mother’s controversial finale, and both actors have gone on to play a variety of characters, meaning perhaps now would be a better time to see Harris and Segel reunite.
Link Source : https://screenrant.com/forgetting-sarah-marshall-neil-patrick-harris-himym-cameo-cut/