Saturday Night Live star Pete Davidson and comedy czar Judd Apatow are set to team up for an untitled comedy that is taking shape at Universal. The project is being described as self-autobiographical, taking inspiration from Davidson’s own childhood. He grew up in Staten Island, New York and lost his father – a firefighter – in 9/11, an event that shaped his sense of humour.
He then begun performing stand up at the age of 16 in part to try and work through the loss via comedy. Apatow is on board to direct for the first time since 2015’s Trainwreck with Amy Schumer. Like that film where Schumer played ‘Amy’, somewhat of a version of herself, here Davidson will play ‘Pete’ in the film inspired by his own life.
Apatow has co-written the script with Davidson and Dave Sirus, and will be producing with his longtime collaborator Barry Mendel (The Big Sick). Just as Trainwreck launched Schumer into stardom, Apatow will be hoping to do the same here with Davidson. SNL has a history of creating comedy stars, such as Mike Myers, Will Ferrell, and Kristen Wiig, and perhaps Davidson is next in line.
He’s already begun making the leap to the silver screen. His film Big Time Adolescence just debuted at the Sundance Film Festival and seems close to a buyer, while he’s also set to have a role in the upcoming comedy What Men Want, which hits cinemas Friday, February 8.
Apatow has of course directed some of the most memorable comedies of the 21st century with films such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, and changed the dynamic of comedies with his improvisational, more heartfelt style. He and Davidson teaming up is an interesting match and could develop into something great. Universal hopes to start production on the film this summer.
#Peace.Love.Apatow
