UPDATE: Ahead of CinemaCon next week, Universal has officially revealed that its upcoming comedy, directed by Judd Apatow and starring Glen Powell, will be titled “The Comeback King.” At the same time, the film has officially begun production and unveiled its first poster.
EARLIER: Last year, a Puck report highlighted Judd Apatow’s struggles to get several of his passion projects approved by major studios. His most recent scripted feature, the $50 million Netflix flop “The Bubble,” marked a low point. Since then, he’s dabbled in documentaries and released an autobiography, but his main ambition has remained a return to directing.
Now, that opportunity appears to be taking shape. Apatow’s new comedy, co-written with and starring Glen Powell, is expected to begin production early next month. Backed by Universal, the film centers on a country-western star in decline. Local reports have referred to the project as “Comeback King,” and it will also feature Cristin Milioti, Madelyn Cline and Li Jin Hao. Both Apatow and Powell have confirmed the project as their next endeavor.
Powell recently told The Guardian it’s his “next movie,” and Apatow told KCRW the same thing. It’s most likely a mid-budget affair aiming to follow in the footsteps of recent studio comedies that have found success in that range, such as “No Hard Feelings” and “Naked Gun.” If successful, it could contribute to a broader revival of theatrical comedy.
In the 2000s, Apatow was a dominant force in comedy, shaping the genre through productions like “Superbad,” “Pineapple Express,” and “Bridesmaids,” as well as HBO’s “Girls.” As a director, he also proved his skill with sharp, adult-oriented hits like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up,” followed by films including “Funny People,” “This Is 40,” “Trainwreck,” and “The King of Staten Island.”
In recent years, however, his influence has waned. His signature style—often centered on male-driven, bro-heavy humor—has not resonated as strongly in the post-#MeToo landscape. Consequently, his more recent directorial efforts have been seen as safe and uninspired, culminating in the poorly received “The Bubble” in 2022.
As for Powell, he’s coming off “The Running Man,” and “How to Make A Killing” — both failed to ignite at the box office — and he also stars in JJ Abrams’ “The Great Beyond” which is set for fall 2026 release.
Reeves is supposed to direct, David E. Kelley is writing, and just like that, Apple got cold feet — the usual “creative differences” excuse is being cited in the report, and maybe that was indeed the case.