Not since Mel Brooks in the late 60's/early 70's has a comedic writer/director/producer been on a roll quite like what Judd Apatow is engineering at this present time. Between "The 40 Year Old Virgin" and "Talladega Nights", next month's hilarious "Knocked Up" and the outrageous August sleeper "Superbad", everything this guy touches is turning into an instant classic. That's why we were psyched to get some exclusive news on the music for "Walk Hard", a recently-wrapped biopic spoof featuring "The Office" star Jenna Fischer and a "Talladega" shake-and-baker.
"I just shot a movie with John C. Reilly, that I wrote with Jake Kasdan, who directed the movie," Apatow said of the flick he's producing with the critically-beloved "Zero Effect" director behind the camera. "It's called 'Walk Hard,' and it's a goof on movies like 'Ray' and 'Walk the Line'. [Reilly] plays Dewey Cox, who has had a very long career, and has been addicted to many drugs and gone to rehab many times."
Although the plot has been known for some time, Apatow has never revealed the names of the Johnny Cash-like comedic songs that he helped compose for the film...until now, that is. "The main song in the movie is called 'Walk Hard,' because he does walk hard," laughed Apatow. "But [Cox] also wrote a lot of protest songs. One is about the problems of the mulatto; he stood up for mulatto rights in the 60's. He has another song called 'Ladies First,' about ladies' rights, that I enjoyed. And then during the 70's he had a hit disco song called 'Hey, Hey, Who Wants to Party?,' so there's a lot of good music in the movie."
John C. Reilly, making like the Bee Gees? Apatow promised we'd be seeing it soon. "Yes," he grinned. "You will get to see John C. Reilly in a disco suit."
Due in theaters next February, the movie also stars improv vets Ed Helms ("The Daily Show"), Kristen Wiig and Tim Meadows (both of "Saturday Night Live"), and none other than "White Stripes" singer Jack White as Elvis. "John C. Reilly is one of the great improvisers that I've seen," Apatow said of his latest leading man, who earned an Oscar nominee for "Chicago," his last singing effort (aside from this past Oscars night). "We've been shooting this movie for three months; it's pretty amazing to see him go and go and go, and constantly have new ideas in the moment."
Do these funny song titles indicate that Apatow will finally elevate the actor to super-stardom status? Weigh in with your thoughts below!
Comments