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FIRST LOOK

First Look: First Real Photo from Judd Apatow's Funny People

by Alex Billington
January 6, 2009

As part of their big 2009 preview, Universal has debuted the first actual photo (not just the teaser poster) for Judd Apatow's Funny People. Seen in the photo is Adam Sandler as stand-up comedian George Simmons, Seth Rogen as his friend and stand-up comedian Ira, Leslie Mann as Simmons' love of his life Laura, and Eric Bana as Laura's current husband Clarke. Sound like one hell of a cast? It definitely looks like it! This is already starting to feel like Apatow's pièce de résistance. I hope it lives up to all of our early expectations because we're building up some immense hype for this. Check out the new photo below.

Judd Apatow's Funny People

Over the past few years, writer/director Judd Apatow has shown that nothing—not even losing your virginity or the miracle of childbirth—is sacred. About his third film behind the camera, he says, "I'm trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck!" When seasoned comedian George Simmons learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship cause him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act.

Funny People is both written and directed by comedy mastermind Judd Apatow, of 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, as well as "Freaks and Geeks", previously. The story in the film is inspired by Apatow's own real life experiences. Universal is debuting Funny People in theaters everywhere on July 31st, 2009!

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Related categories: First Look, Hype

Jay Beezy

I think you're building up too much hype. I realize it's hard not to since, unlike 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, this Apatow-directed movie stars someone who has been a big star for a decade now, as well as other well-known actors like Bana and Schwartzman, that and Rogen and Hill are relatively well known now with Knocked Up and Superbad, respectively.
KyB

I have to agree with Jay, I really like Apatow's other two movies as well as Anchorman, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, among others, but this one seems a little too overhyped for me. The concept even seems off the mark for me. I'm thinking the hype is waaaaaay up due to his past two movie's success but I'm really hoping its as good as we hope. This summer isn't going to be as big as 07 or 08 so this could breakout but the hype is getting to be too much.
Itri

There's so much hype because Apatow rarely misses the mark when it comes to the movies he is involved with, and the chance for Sandler to be used effectively again is something everybody would love. This summer could be huge, look at what is coming up. I'm not going to list it all, but there's a lot.
Scott McHenry

Whats Eric Bana doing in there?
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Scott - He is the husband of Leslie Mann in the movie. Do you not like him? Jay - That's the exact reason that I AM hyped for it. Sandler has been doing nothing but crappy movies like Bedtime Stories. I want to see him actually have to challenge himself in a role and be funny. I feel like this could really be it. And #3 does a great job of summing up the buzz as well.
BahHumbug

Scott- Eric Bana comes from a comedy background in Australia. I'm really getting annoyed that more and more people keep asking that about this movie.
Padme

Seriously Alex I have no idea of what you expected of Sandler in bedtime stories? It’s a kid/family film, and indeed I think this movie looks promising, though I may say I’m a fan of Apatow previous work I’m anxious to know what’s going to happened in this new installment.
Shane

I read the script, and Eric Bana's role isn't a comedic one. He plays the absent hubsand/father of Leslie Mann's character, always "on business" in China. He's got a few funny lines, but not a ton. I think the hype is well deserved. I got somewhat of a "Terms of Endearment" feel when I read it. Very serious subject matter, with great comedic moments. Of course, Apatow's scripts are usually quite different than the final film, due to his preference of improvisation; but you get the gist of it. I can see this being critically very well received, possibly even more so than anything he's ever done. But fans of Apatow's previous stuff may be a bit put off.
Jay Beezy

Alex- I am hyped for it as well. I just don't want to give it too much as to jinx it. Shane- I think there will be plenty of Apatow humor in it to please fan's of Apatow's previous work.
Jay Beezy

I meant fans not fan's. Sorry it's early in the morning for me.
twispious

im loving this already
LeeMan

i feel this film will turn into a classic in no time. it might not make a lot in its first week, but i think word of mouth wil lgive it the legs to reach the heights of knocked up. unlike pineapple express, funny people isn't being blocked by tropic thunder, so it only has dance flick to compete with. nothing beats adam sandler, especially in a dramatic role
Tim "Cloverfield"

With the exception of the inept Seth Rogen, this may have a chance. Course I will not waste my $$$ on ANYTHING Rogen is involved with.
Dustin

Tim, its ok to laugh during a movie. Seth Rogan plays the lazy-mid-20s-stoner to a T, and since I'm in a similar boat, I can relate. To say some of the situations Judd Apatow cooks up are far fetched, is a slight understatement, but no one does it better than these guys. After watching Pineapple Express (which is far funnier than Tropic Thunder) last night for the 3rd time, I'm a firm believer anything these guys touch, turns to gold.
Yamika

o-o ill watch it and i agree with Padme xD O_O i love Seth Rogen....
Jay Beezy

LeeMan- I agree with you that it could be a classic. In terms of box office, though, it's kinda difficult to say at this moment, given that it opens two weeks after Harry Potter, which is a lot darker, sorta like Harry Potter's Dark Knight, and seemingly a lot of peoples' most anticipated movie of the summer. Of course, Sandler's lesser quality Chuck and Larry opened at number 1 a week after Harry Potter, but this Harry Potter could end up pulling a Dark Knight. I'm hoping, considering the cast, Funny People exceeds the gross of Knocked Up. In fact, I'm hoping it's the highest grossing live action movie for all the cast members.
Tim "Cloverfield"

Dustin I totally agree with you. 100%. PE was a better film from TT, ( which stars the other waste and talentless hack which I cannot even say his name, even though his parents are very funny). I have tried, and tried, he has NO timing, and the frame just drips of shite acting when ever he is in it. Sorry Dawg. Hell, anyone can play a stoner, look at Matthew McCon-take my shirt off in every film-ahey. And he was freaking terrible in Dazed and Confused. Believe me , if it's funny, I am laughing.
Dustin

Matthew McCon-take my shirt off in every film-ahey is a stoner. Anyone remember that naked bongo incident a few years ago?
avoidz

Judd needs to leave his freaky wife at home.
Nut-Meg

Eric Bana is funny, right? Rogen is not. No thanx.