Judd Apatow’s Funny People
Judd Apatow’s untitled Stand-up comedy film now has a title - Funny People. Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill have also joined the already announced cast which includes Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Eric Bana.
So what is it about? Well details are being kept under wraps, but we do know that i is set in the world of standup comedy and that they story will focus on a comedian who has a near-death experience. Apatow and cast members have also commented on how the film has a more dramatic edge than Apatow’s previous efforts, 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. And the word Dramedy has been floating around, although the stars insist that the script is filled with laughs.
The ensemble cast is really beginning to take shape. Schwartzman is always great when used to his strengths as the eccentric lovable loser trying to take on the world. And I think pretty much everyone expected that Hill would be involved. But the real question is: will Apatow be able to tame Sandler? I hope so, because I don’t think anyone really wants “just another Adam Sandler comedy”, especially with Apatow at the helm. Funny People will hit theaters in Summer 2009.
Bana, Schwartzman, Hill Bring the Funny
Team Apatow has enlisted three more recruits.
Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman and compulsory comic player Jonah Hill have joined Funny People, the latest big-screen offering to be directed by Judd Apatow.
The threesome makes the film even more star-studded, joining the already-cast comedy trio of Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann.
Movie details are being kept under wraps, but per Variety, it is set in the world of stand-up and follows a comedian who has a near-death experience.
Cameras roll in L.A. this September.
Jodie Foster Hits Behind the Camera Awards
Jodie Foster Hits Behind the Camera Awards
As a celebrity, there’s a constant pressure to look your best at ever red carpet event in town. And Jodie Foster went for the classic black dress-look at the Behind the Camera Awards last night.
The Highlands in Hollywood was the setting for the awards ceremony, and the “Silence of the Lambs” actress was in good company. Sean Penn, Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen, James Woods, Julian Schnabel, Charlie Kaufman, Jason Reitman, Colleen Atwood, Jon Kilik, Mark Friedberg, and Philippe Rousselot all showed up for the evening.
Foster’s new film, “Nim’s Island” is already getting some serious attention from the press. Though it’s not due until next April, USA Today released pictures from the film last week.
“Nim’s Island” is based on the children’s book of the same name. In addition to Foster, it stars Abigail Breslin and Gerard Butler.
Judd Apatow Wants Eric Bana
CHUD is reporting that Eric Bana has been approached to play Clarke, Leslie Mann’s boyfriend, in Judd Apatow’s untitled third film which stars Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler as stand-up comedians.
At first glance Bana seems like a really odd choice for an Apatow comedy, better known for his roles in action and dramatic films. Apatow has said that his new film is more dramatic than his previous efforts (40-Year-Old-Virgin and Knocked Up), calling it “a hilarious drama”. Sandler even recently admitted that the script is “very funny” but at the same time, “pretty heartbreaking.”
Plus casting Bana fullfills an inside joke set-up by Seth Rogen’s character in Knocked Up (”If any of us get laid tonight, it’s because of Eric Bana in Munich.”) Eric Bana in a Apatow Dramadey? What do you think?