Glen Powell‘s passion for working with acclaimed directors continues with a buzzy, yet untitled comedy alongside Judd Apatow.
Powell will star in the next film as directed by Apatow in which Powell will portray “a country western star in free fall,” which is giving real “A Star Is Born” vibes. Powell will also co-write the script alongside Apatow, and the project is being fast-tracked by Universal Pictures.
Both Apatow and Powell will also produce the comedy, as will former Universal Pictures President of Production Kevin Misher via his Misher Films banner.
Powell, who previously penned “Hit Man” with auteur Richard Linklater and is writing a Broadway musical with Ryan Murphy, will produce alongside Dan Cohen through their Barnstorm banner’s newly minted first look deal with Universal. Powell first collaborated with Universal for “Twisters,” and his company Barnstorm is also producing the recently announced “The Natural Order” for the studio, with Powell attached to star and Barry Jenkins directing.
Apatow’s relationship with Universal began with his 2005 directorial debut “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” and he has since directed “Knocked Up,” “Funny People,” “This is 40,” “Trainwreck,” and “The King of Staten Island” for the studio.
Senior Executive Vice President of Production Development Erik Baiers will oversee this latest project on behalf of Universal.
Jenkins and Apatow are not the only acclaimed filmmakers with whom Powell has projects in the works. Powell recently wrapped production on John Patton Ford’s revenge thriller “Huntington” for A24 and Studio Canal, and he’ll next be seen in Edgar Wright’s “The Running Man” adaptation for Paramount Pictures. He will also lead the Hulu comedy series “Chad Powers” based on an Eli Manning sketch about a quarterback whose college career ends after bad behavior; Powell is executive producing the series under Barnstorm.
As for Apatow, the untitled Universal Pictures comedy is one of the many features he is developing. He is currently in production on HBO Documentary Films’ two-part documentary on the life and career of Mel Brooks for HBO Documentary Films; Apatow is producing and co-directing with Michael Bonfiglio. Apatow was also announced in 2024 to be directing “Cola Wars,” a film about the battle for market share between Coca Cola and Pepsi to become America’s favorite soda. Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment is producing that one, with the film being written by “Acapulco” co-creators Ben Queen and Jason Shuman.
Powell is represented by CAA and Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole. Apatow is represented by WME, Mosaic, ID and Ziffren Brittenham LLP.
