Glen Powell to Star in Judd Apatow Comedy About Fallen Country Music Star (2025)

Glen Powell and Judd Apatow are preparing to blend their voices in a new comedy movie exploring the world of country music.

Universal Pictures is fast-tracking an original untitled feature starring Powell that Apatow will direct. The pair are penning the script together about a country western star in free fall.

Apatow produces for Apatow Productions through its long-standing overall deal with the studio, while Powell and Dan Cohen produce for Barnstorm via the first-look deal with Universal that was signed earlier this year. Former Universal president of production Kevin Misher also produces for Misher Films.

Universal’s senior executive vp of production development Erik Baiers oversees the movie for the studio.

Apatow is currently in production on a two-part HBO Documentary Films project about Mel Brooks that he is producing and co-directing with Michael Bonfiglio. Apatow’s previous feature credits as director include Netflix’s 2022 film The Bubble, along with such titles for Universal as The King of Staten Island, Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin.

Last year, Powell starred in Universal’s big-screen hit Twisters and Richard Linklater’s Netflix film Hit Man, with Powell also producing and co-writing the latter. He recently wrapped production on revenge thriller Huntington for A24 and Studio Canal and stars in Edgar Wright’s remake of The Running Man for Paramount that hits theaters this fall. Additionally, Powell leads the series Chad Powers that hits Hulu soon.

The Hollywood Reporter reported last month that Universal landed a pitch for the sci-fi feature The Natural Order that has Barry Jenkins in talks to direct Powell in the lead.

Apatow is represented by WME, Mosaic, ID and Ziffren Brittenham. Powell is repped by CAA and Johnson Shapiro.