We've seen RZA in film before: in addition to his roles in American Gangster an Ghost Dog, his most surreal turn was as an alternative medicine doctor imploring Bill Murray to gargle hydrogen peroxide in Coffee and Cigarettes. We know he can be funny, so why not match him up with this decade's leading comedy filmmaker?
That's right, RZA will have a featured role in the film Funny People, the third movie Apatow will have directed (after The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up), and the bajillionth movie Apatow has either written or produced. The film also stars Adam Sandler, Seth Rogan, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzmann, and Leslie Mann, Apatow's wife, who hasn't acted with Adam Sandler since she made out with Jon Stewart in Big Daddy.
RZA's role is as of yet undetermined, as is almost everyone else in this cast. The plot summary on IMDB reveals the following story line:
George is a very successful stand up comedian who learns that he has an untreatable blood disorder and is given less than a year to live. Ira is a struggling up-and-coming stand up comedian who works at a deli and has yet to figure out his onstage persona. One night, these two perform at the same club and George takes notice of Ira. George hires Ira to be his semi-personal assistant as well as his friend.
Something tells me RZA won't be playing Ira. Either way, this should be one of the most anticipated comedies of 2009, and the first Judd Apatow-directed film not to sneak up on an audience.
And in case you haven't seen Coffee and Cigarettes, enjoy:
RZA »
