Judd Apatow to Shoot Glen Powell-Starring Country Music Comedy Next Year

Last year, a Puck report tackled Judd Apatow’s difficulties in getting some of his passion projects greenlit by any of the major studios. Apatow’s last scripted feature was the $50 million Netflix bust, “The Bubble.” He’s done some documentary work on the side and written an autobiography, but what he’s really itching for is a return to directing.

That opportunity has arrived. It looks as though his Glen Powell–starring comedy, announced back in April, will begin shooting early next year. They wrote the script together. The film follows a country western star in free fall. Universal is backing the movie.

Powell recently told The Guardian it’s his “next movie,” and Apatow is telling KCRW the same thing. It’s most likely a mid-budget affair, one that will hopefully continue in the footsteps of recent hits like “No Hard Feelings” and “Naked Gun” in attempting to revitalize the major studio comedy genre.

In the aughts, no one ruled comedy quite like Apatow. His reach influenced the comedic landscape, from producing “Superbad,” “Pineapple Express,” and “Bridesmaids” to HBO’s landmark series, “Girls.” He was untouchable.

Apatow even proved to be a more-than-decent director, helming smartly clever, adult-oriented gut-busters such as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up.” His other directorial efforts include “Funny People,” “This is 40,” “Trainwreck,” and “The King of Staten Island.”

In recent years, Apatow has not maintained the same reach or influence he once wielded. His brand of male-dominated, bro-ish comedy hasn’t translated well in the #MeToo era. As a result, his last few directorial efforts—safe, unadventurous works—have largely underwhelmed, culminating in the 2022 misfire “The Bubble.”

Last fall, Apatow was shopping an R-rated comedy script he intended to direct, with Zach Galifianakis attached to play a “quasi-canceled” comedian. The pitch failed to attract studio interest, prompting Galifianakis to exit and Apatow to shelve the project entirely. Another R-rated comedy he developed, this one featuring stand-up legend Katt Williams as an aging comedian, also failed to gain traction. Last year, Apatow told The Playlist that he had written another script, presumably the Country music project, which he was shopping around, and hoped it would be his next directing feature—“if they would allow me to make it,” in his own words.