Superbad aside, Jonah Hill’s movie career to date has been built on a series of charismatic and memorable cameos and supporting turns in the likes of Funny People, Accepted and Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
But the long-term plan is clearly ‘Jonah Hill: Movie Star’. To that end, he’s already committed to writing and starring, alongside Jason Segel and Jason Schwartzman, in The Adventurer’s Handbook, a big-budget action comedy which will film next year. And today he added the high-concept rom-com, The Best Thing About Pam Rooney, to his list.
The story is being kept under wraps for now, but the movie has a fine pedigree. It will be written and executive produced by Andrew Jay Cohen and Brendan O’Brien, two key residents of Judd Apatown. The duo previously worked on the likes of **Talladega Nights **and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, and are the latest graduates from Apatow’s seemingly never-ending comedy school.
Hill, of course, would seem at first glance an unlikely rom-com lead, but he’s a talented actor, a very funny guy and, frankly, as with **Knocked Up **and Seth Rogen, it’ll be a refreshing change to see a rom-com anchored by someone who hasn’t just stepped out of the pages of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalogue.
Hill will also produce the rom-com, which currently has no director attached. Universal will sign the cheques.