Claim: Judd Apatow produced Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a 2008 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Nicholas Stoller and starring Jason Segel , Kristen Bell , Mila Kunis and Russell Brand . The film , which was written by Segel and co-produced by Judd Apatow , was released by Universal Studios . Filming began in April 2007 at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu Island in Hawaii . The film was released for North American theaters on April 18 , 2008 and in the UK a week later on April 25 , 2008 .   The story revolves around Peter Bretter , who is a music composer for a TV show that happens to feature his girlfriend , Sarah Marshall , in the lead role . After a five-year relationship , Sarah abruptly breaks up with Peter . Devastated by this event , he chooses to go on a vacation in Hawaii , in order to try to move forward with his life . Trouble ensues when he runs into his ex on the island as she is vacationing with her new boyfriend .