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Seth Rogen Joins Jody Hill's Observe and Report

by Alex Billington
March 6, 2008
Source: Variety

A few days ago we made mention of a movie called The Foot Fist Way with Danny McBride. So the story goes that it debuted at the LA Film Fest two years ago (in 2006) and is just now is hitting theaters. Since then, the boys behind it have been taken under the wing of both Will Ferrell and Judd Apatow. The mastermind behind The Foot Fist Way, named Jody Hill, has been signed by Warner Brothers to direct his second feature film, one called Observe and Report. The latest, greatest comedian Seth Rogen has joined and will star as the lead character Ronnie. Although not too many people have seen The Foot Fist Way, all of the buzz behind it makes me wonder whether Jody Hill is the next big thing in comedy.

Observe and Report focuses on Ronnie Barnhardt, a deluded, self-important head of mall security who squares off in a turf war against the local cops. The screenplay was written by Hill as well, who collaborated with actor/writer Ben Best on the script for The Foot Fist Way. Apparently another "mall cop comedy" is in production over at Columbia Pictures, but while that one will be family friendly, this one is going to be all out lude, crude, and R-rated. Producer Donald De Line asserts that "it will definitely go to the edge. We love (Hill's) sensibility."

The film is slated to begin shooting in April after Rogen finishes up Kevin Smith's Zack and Miri Make a Porno. I'm amazed that this guy has come from nowhere and blown up into something huge. I wish I would have seen The Foot Fist Way, but unfortunately I've got to wait until the summer to catch it. Like Superbad's director Greg Mottola, after seeing what he was capable of, I was quite excited for his next film (Adventureland). I'd love to say the same about Jody Hill but I can't until The Foot Fist Way actually comes around.

Another funny thing to note - the cop comedy "genre", if I could call it that, seems to be picking up. Of course cops have always been made fun of in comedies forever, but I think Superbad's Officer Michaels (Rogen) and Officer Slater (Bill Hader) were the most hilarious duo of cops ever to grace the silver screen. And I hope that's sparked some even funnier police humor, including what we're likely to see in Observe and Report. I may be wrong, but who knows, we'll see eventually how it all plays out.

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