Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Most people have stories about doing something wild while under the influence — but planning to get married? And to Michael Cera, the actor from Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Superbad, no less?
It sounds far-fetched, but it nearly happened.
Aubrey Plaza has revealed that back in 2009, while she and Cera were dating during the making of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, they came close to tying the knot in Las Vegas.
At the time, Cera was enjoying major momentum after roles in Superbad and Juno, while Plaza was emerging as a standout thanks to her early work on Parks and Recreation.
Plaza shared the story on a recent episode of SmartLess, hosted by Jason Bateman — who fans will recognize as playing Cera’s character’s dad on Arrested Development.
During the conversation, Bateman referenced Plaza’s past relationship with Cera, and she confirmed she’d “booked and bagged” him.
Plaza then described a chaotic cross-country trip that almost ended with them getting married on a whim.
Plaza said: “We almost got married. We drove across the country together, eating a bag of edibles, and we drove to Vegas with a plan to get married and then get divorced right away so we could call each other our ex-wife and ex-husband forever.
“We thought that would be a really good bit.”
When asked what stopped them from actually going through with it, Plaza suggested it came down to a mix of intoxication and anxiety about being recognized.
She said: “I think it was a combination of being too high and paranoid.
“We got in line at the county office or something, and then everyone started running, and we ran. We bailed.”
The relationship ultimately ended after around 18 months, and both have since gone on to build separate lives.
Plaza later married The Little Hours director Jeff Baena. He tragically died by suicide in January 2025 after the pair had separated.
Cera, meanwhile, has been married to his German wife Nadine for more than a decade, and the couple share two children.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.