Apatow’s People Aren’t Just Any People, They’re ‘Funny People’

Judd Apatow‘s loyal following of comedic actors will be put to the test in his next feature.  The pic is said to take place within the world of standup comedy; a notoriously risky business.  Hopefully, Apatow’s constantly expanding repertory won’t let audiences down.

According to Variety, the trio of Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill have rounded out the cast for the helmer’s next and recently publicly named feature, Funny People.  Already announced to be starring in the pic are Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann and Adam Sandler, who’s production company, Happy Madison, is financing the pic with Apatow Productions.  All we need now is a little Paul Rudd, Jason Segel and Bill Hader, and we’ve gotten a genuinely Apatow-approved ensemble.  Pals and working partners Rogen and Evan Goldberg will be exec producing.  Universal has signed on to distribute Funny People, which begins shooting in Los Angeles this September.

Apparently the comedic type (who knew?), Bana began his career doing standup in Australia.  He will appear alongside Rachel McAdams in The Time-Travelers Wife this December and J.J. Abrams‘ take on Star Trek next year.

Continuing to fulfill his role as Wes Anderson’s muse, Schwartzman is lending his voice to the helmer’s next feature, an animated pic based off of the Roald Dahl novel The Fantastic Mr. Fox, in theaters late next year.

Hill can thank Apatow for his recent rise to fame, appearing the helmer’s hits Knocked Up and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, before really making a name for himself in the Apatow-produced blockbuster Superbad.

Sandler and Apatow recently teamed up to pen You Don’t Mess With the Zohan for Robert Smigel, which opened last weekend.