Theron, Rogen hope their 'Long Shot' is a sure bet

Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron, who produce and star in the 'Long Shot', hope their romcom is a sure bet. The two play an unlikely match in the film which centers around the relationship between Fred Flarsky (Rogen), a down-and-out journalist and Charlotte Field (Theron), an ambitious U.S. Secretary of State considering a run for the presidency.

London: With 'Long Shot', Seth Rogen and Charlize Theron set out to make a romcom in the style of classics such as 'Pretty Woman', while also being as "current and timely as humanly possible."

The pair produce and star in the movie, which features Theron as Charlotte Field – an ambitious U.S. Secretary of State considering a run for the presidency.

While at a diplomatic party, Field runs into her old neighbour Fred Flarsky (Rogen) – a down-and-out journalist who's just quit his job after a right-wing media mogul (played by a heavily made-up, almost unrecognizable Andy Serkis) takes over his newspaper.

Field, it turns out, used to babysit for the nerdy Flarsky when there were at high school. And after reconnecting with her old neighbour and reading some of his articles, Field employs the jobless journalist as a speech writer on her campaign trail.

Field's life in the political spotlight is unlike anything Flarsky has ever witnessed. But the pair's unique chemistry and affection for each other soon blossoms into a full-blown romance.

"From the moment I sat down with these two guys," says director Jonathan Levine, "you could tell that their energies really complement each other."

Levine and Rogen are regular collaborators, having previously worked on movies including '50/50' and 'The Night Before', and have developed what the director says is an oftentimes "chaotic" shooting process.

But, Levine adds, Theron also adapted instantly to this way of working.

"Sometimes we're changing whole scenes on the fly. And I think she really likes that."

It helped that Theron identified with her character – although she also says she wouldn't fare particularly well in politics.

"I have zero passion for it, so I would just say that," says Theron, adding: "And that's really not commenting on my life and the horrible things that would be found."

"You've done some bad things," laughs Rogen. Some gross stuff."

'Long Shot' also stars Alexander Skarsgard as smooth-talking Canadian prime minister, James Steward, and Bob Odenkirk as President Chambers – a hapless and egocentric former TV actor-turned leader of the free world.

'Long Shot' releases in U.K. and U.S. theaters on May 3.

With inputs from APTN