The Studiois a love letter toHollywoodand movie making.Apple TV+’s breakout hit follows Matt Remick (Seth Rogen) as he gets promoted to head of Continental Studios. Rogen is no stranger to absurd plots and is known to cast industry friends to tell these stories. Season 1 spares no (hefty) expense,inviting real directors, actors, and executives to make celebrity cameos.
How can anyone topMartin Scorsese,Ice Cube, orGreta Lee? Not to mention the sheer amount ofstar power in Season 1, Episode 8, “Golden Globes.“Now thatSeason 2 is confirmed, fans are anxiously awaiting who might make an appearance. FromGreta GerwigtoJack Black, we need to see these fan favorites in Season 2 ofThe Studio.
The Studio
The Studio: This series explores the challenges faced by a legacy Hollywood movie studio struggling to balance art and commerce. It delves into the complex dynamics within the industry as the studio endeavors to survive in a rapidly evolving entertainment landscape.
10Greta Gerwig
Most Recent Project: ‘Barbie’ (2023)
Known for infusing themes of feminism and girlhood into her films,director Greta Gerwig could make for a great cameo as Continental Studios expands their repertoire.The Studioregularly incorporates narratives surrounding race, gender, and religion – but theBarbiedirector can bring in real-life examples of this. While we see Scorsese andRon Howardin Season 1, Gerwig would be the first female director to appear inThe Studio.
Rogen has respect for Gerwig. He even recently stated that “Barbenheimer saved Hollywood” from a bleak future.This inspired him to change the direction of the show from what was originally a cynical take on the industry.Christopher Nolanhad already received a shoutout in “The Golden Globes” – it would only make sense for the other half of Barbenheimer to gain recognition.
A beloved doll, known for her perfect life in an idyllic, colorful world, finds herself on an unexpected journey when she starts to feel out of place. Seeking answers, she leaves her fantastical home and steps into the real world, where she experiences the highs and lows of human life. With the help of new friends, she navigates the challenges of identity and purpose, discovering the importance of authenticity and inner strength.
9Larry David
Most Recent Project: ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ (2000–2024)
Larry Daviddid the whole “celebrity cameoing as themselves” a bit long beforeThe Studio. For 12 seasons,David portrayed himself as a former television writer and producer; it’s a meta series about David’s life and events. As a result,Curb Your Enthusiasmcleverly incorporated storylines featuring cameos from real people or actors playing fictional characters.
Now thatCurb Your Enthusiasmis off the air, we haven’t seen much of David or his antics. But his background in the industry could make for a great appearance onThe Studio. Perhaps he comes to Matt to pitch a new series. Or even a more subtle role – imagine if David posed as an “everyday man” joining a tour group through Continental Studios. Could this be a crossover episode, of sorts?
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The life and times of Larry David and the predicaments he gets himself into with his friends and complete strangers.
Iger could be given the Ted Sarandos treatment.
The Studiooften adds subtle nods (and jabs) to major production companies. Who better to embody this thanBob Iger? TheDisneyfigurehead is forever associated withmajor acquisitions and blockbuster franchises. As the fate of Continental Studios is uncertain in the season finale, Iger’s cameo would further expand the conversation surrounding commercial stimulation in Hollywood.
…A brief cameo from Disney’s CEO could highlight and satirize their latest business moves and even shift the company’s reputation.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos shocked viewersin his first on-screen appearance; it put a face on the streaming giant.A precedent has been set. If done right, a brief cameo from Disney’s CEO could highlight and satirize their latest business moves and even shift the company’s reputation. There is power in humiliation, as Rogen andThe Studioexplore.
7John Hamm
Most Recent Project: ‘Your Friends and Neighbors’ (2025–)
John Hammis best known for his role as the stoic Don Draper inMad Men. But hisfilmography is versatile. He’s also proven to be a comedic force in guest roles inParks and RecreationandThe Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.His humor caters to eccentric, larger-than-life characters. Maybe it’s time for Hamm to take on a new project in the fictionalThe Studio.
Hamm’s dedication to the craft of entertainment is apparent, whether making audiences laugh or contemplate life. During an audience Q&A bit withTina FeyandAmy Poehlerat theSNL50th Anniversary,Hamm asks “Am I funny?” To which Fey responds, “Whenever we ask you to do a bit you always say yes.”A John Hamm cameo inThe Studiocould go either way.
Your Friends and Neighbors
6Aubrey Plaza
Most Recent Project: ‘Agatha All Along’ (2024)
The key to a great cameo in a show likeThe Studiostarts with an actor’s willingness to make fun of themselves.Aubrey Plazais a skilled veteran at this through interviews and character types. Plaza is best known for her gloomy, deadpan delivery –Parks and Recreation,Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and evenThe White Lotus.
Ultimately, Plaza is there to humble the egos of those around her. Matt – and his team at Continental Studios – could use that, quite frankly. Additionally,she and Kathryn Hahn have chemistryinAgatha All Along, and we miss seeing them each week. While Hahn would not be playing herself in the scenario,any way to get these two together on screen would be a service to fans.
Agatha All Along
Agatha Harkness, following the events of “WandaVision,” embarks on a quest to reclaim her lost powers. Teaming up with unlikely allies, including the son of her former enemy, she faces new mystical threats while navigating a complex world of magic and intrigue.
5Sabrina Carpenter
A “Short ‘n’ Sweet” cameo could be fun!
Patty Leigh (Catherine O’Hara) makes an astute observation on the red carpet of theGolden Globesin Episode 8: “There are influencers everywhere.” It’s a stark truth in the changing world of Hollywood. In recent years,Sabrina Carpentergained success asa global powerhouse for her singing career. And her humor.
…Carpenter’s current status in the entertainment industry would cater to a range of audiences and themes.
In many ways,Carpenter has come to represent Gen-Z culture and humor, and a cameo onThe Studiocould follow suit. More than that, Carpenter is already well-connected in Hollywood. From a background as a Disney Channel star to touring withTaylor Swiftand even her frequent appearances onSaturday Night Live, Carpenter’s current status in the entertainment industry would cater to a range of audiences and themes.
4Danny Pudi
Most Recent Project: ‘Going Dutch’ (2025–)
One of many meta quotes fromCommunity’s Abed Nadir (Danny Pudi) goes, “There are no takes. There is no viewer. The film is the story, the story is us. We are the film.” Pudi – channeling Abed – has the opportunity to break the fourth (fifth?) wall and, like a wise teacher,remind Matt of the true meaning of movie-making.
The Studioexplains that there is a stark contrast between “making art” and “making movies.” This is something that Matt often struggles with, where he feels as though his work does not matter.There’s a niche fanbase ofCommunityfans who would understand why Pudi needs to appear inThe Studio.
Going Dutch
After an epically unfiltered rant, an arrogant, loudmouth U.S. Army Colonel is reassigned to the Netherlands, where he is punished with a command position at the least important army base in the world. After serving with distinction in every warzone of the last three decades, he now finds himself in charge of a base with no guns, no weapons and no tactical purpose. Instead, it has a Michelin-star-level commissary, a top-notch bowling alley and the best (and only) fromagerie in the U.S. Army. Surrounded by a diverse group of underdogs, the colonel tries to reinstall military discipline and professionalism with the help of the base’s previous interim leader, who just happens to be his estranged daughter.
3Paul McCartney
We could get this cameo before ‘The Beatles’ biopics.
Part ofThe Studio’s success can be attributed to its impressive star power.Icons in their own right contribute to the chaos of Rogen’s vision. But noticeably missing are the singers. PerhapsPaul McCartneycould change that. Rogen’s character is known for chasing success through recognition, and The Academy is a sucker for a good musical biopic.
But if legends like McCartney are watchingThe Studio, what’s to say that they wouldn’t want to participate?
More than that,The Studioco-creatorPeter Huyuck told TV Insiderthat, “[He] heard through the grapevine that Paul McCartney is a fan of the show.” Of course, this isn’t confirmation by any means. But if legends like McCartney are watchingThe Studio, what’s to say that they wouldn’t want to participate?Sam Mendes recently revealedplans to direct four individual biopics for each member ofThe Beatles, set to release in 2028 – but for now, we can have this.
2Matt Damon and Ben Affleck
Most Recent Project Together: ‘Air’ (2023)
This dynamic duo elevates any project they appear on together.Ben AffleckandMatt Damonbroke records at the 1998 Academy Awards, becoming the youngest Oscar winners at the time (25 and 27, respectively).Their childhood bond led to the creation ofGood Will Huntingand their careers boomed from there.
Damon and Affleck have appeared in13 movies togetherthroughout their career (the 14th,RIP,is in production). It’s time to see the two onscreen together again! While we’d prefer that the two make a cameo together, there is a good chance that Damon will take on the challenge regardless – henever turns down a surprise appearance.
Follows the history of sports marketing executive Sonny Vaccaro, and how he led Nike in its pursuit of the greatest athlete in the history of basketball, Michael Jordan.
1Jack Black
Most Recent Project: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ (2025)
Jack Black’s name is associated with major blockbuster movies for all ages. From animated films likeKung Fu Pandato the remake ofJumanji,he embodies the lighthearted foolishness of the genre. If anything is certain, it’s that he can sell out theaters (just look at therecord-breakingA Minecraft Movie). In many ways, this is exactly what Matt is looking for with his first project as studio head.
The process of getting the fictional film greenlit, cast, and marketed has been nothing short of disastrous. Fans were not happy to learn that Kool-Aid Man would be AI-generated and the fate of the project was at risk.Only Jack Black can save it. Is he up for the task?
A Minecraft Movie
The malevolent Ender Dragon sets out on a path of destruction, prompting a young girl and her group of unlikely adventurers to set out to save the Overworld.
