Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill have been called up to join the cast of Funny People. We get the news from our friends at comingsoon:
Variety says that Judd Apatow has added Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill have joined the previously-announced Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Eric Bana in Funny People, which will be co-financed by Universal Pictures and Columbia Pictures, with Universal distributing on July 31, 2009.
The filmmaker, who last wrote and directed Knocked Up, was deliberately vague about subject matter, allowing only that the movie takes place in the world of standup comedy and the focus is on a comedian who has a near-death experience. The film is a co-production of Apatow Productions and Happy Madison, and Apatow is producing with Clayton Townsend and Barry Mendel. Jack Giarraputo, Rogen and Evan Goldberg are executive producers.
At first I was confused why Jason Schwartzman would be joining the Apatow gang and Sandler. Then it hit me, if this film is going to be about stand up comedians, you are going to need a varied group of comedic types and styles.
One of the benefits of being a comedian is that I get to work with some of the funniest people on earth. Before the show starts, during, and after you can often see comedians in the back talking amongst themselves. Conversation can range from what’s new, to talking shop about new jokes that you are writing. When comedians get together the conversations are always fantastic and I hope this film has segments where we get to see “behind the scenes”.
Very seldom will a group of comedians share the same style, in one night at Yuk Yuks for example you can expect to see a range of comedic styles. Comedic variety is one of the best things about live stand up comedy and I will be thrilled if this film captures that.
While most are content to sit at home and watch awful sitcom shit, people who are fans of comedy still go where the action is hot and fresh. Weather it be stand up, theatre, or improv – nothing beats live ha ha.
