Judd Apatow is reportedly expanding his Knocked Up universe, which began with the 2007 film and spun off into 2012 comedy-drama This Is 40. That film starred Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann, and Apatow is now developing a sequel aptly titled This Is 50.
In an interview with The Wrap, Apatow said “I’ve always wanted to make This Is 50 and it is time. I couldn’t have done it five years ago and I can’t do it five years from now, so I’ve been outlining that and hope it’s something that we get to do.”
This Is 40 shifted the focus to Rudd and Mann’s Pete and Debbie and their relationship with each other but also their two young daughters, played by Apatow’s own children. While the film received mixed reviews upon release, Apatow admitted the film has aged well and has seen a bit of a reevaluation, so it might be the perfect time for a follow-up.
This news comes after Apatow and his Apatow Productions signed a multiyear production deal for both film and TV with Universal Pictures and Universal Studio Group earlier this week. While no specific projects were announced as part of the deal, the Apatow produced Bros with Billy Eichner directing and starring is in post-production at the studio now.
It’s unclear whether This Is 50 will be Apatow’s next project – he’s reportedly mulling between two ideas. What we do know is that his latest film, The Bubble, is arriving in just a few weeks on Netflix.
Set during the COVID-19 pandemic and revolving around a group of actors traveling to a closed set in England to shoot the sixth installment of a wildly successful dinosaur-themed blockbuster franchise, the film will arrive on the streamer Friday, April 1.
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