Here’s an exciting pairing: Rising star Glen Powell (Twisters) is teaming with filmmaker Judd Apatow (Trainwreck) on an untitled original comedy for Universal.
In a move reminiscent of his work alongside Richard Linklater on Netflix’s Hit Man, Powell is writing the script with Apatow, continuing to cement his reputation as the rare A-list star with this kind of skill set. The project, about a country western star in free fall, is being fast-tracked at Uni, with Powell set to star and Apatow directing.
Apatow will also produce through his Apatow Productions, which has a longstanding overall deal with the studio, dating back to his 2005 directorial debut, The 40-Year-Old Virgin. His tenure there has also spanned films including Knocked Up, Funny People, This Is 40, Trainwreck and The King of Staten Island.
Powell and Dan Cohen will also produce through their company Barnstorm’s newly minted first-look deal with the studio, along with Kevin Misher through Misher Films, another producer with an expansive history at Universal. Senior Executive Vice President of Production Development Erik Baiers will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
The Apatow comedy will mark Powell’s second project with the studio after Twisters, which overperformed last summer with the biggest domestic opening ever for a natural disaster film, grossing over $372 million in total. Upcoming, Barnstorm is also set to produce The Natural Order for the studio, with Powell starring and Barry Jenkins directing, as we were recently first to report.
Powell has a lot on his plate right now, between Edgar Wright’s The Running Man, out November 7, and a slate of upcoming projects including an untitled feature from J.J. Abrams, Hulu comedy Chad Powers, and A24/StudioCanal’s Huntington, among others.
A three-time Emmy-winning comedy icon, Apatow’s feature efforts include the Pete Davidson vehicle The King of Staten Island for Universal, Netflix’s The Bubble and the documentary Bob and Don: A Love Story on the lifelong friendship between Bob Newhart and Don Rickles.
