Universal Pictures revealed Monday that the previously unnamed feature is called The Comeback King. The film premieres February 5, 2027, and stars Glen Powell as a country western legend in free fall.
Universal announced the title of the comedy on social media before CinemaCon next week. Before production on the project had actually begun.
The Comeback King
The film is being directed by Judd Apatow and written by Apatow and Powell. That is an interesting pairing in itself. Co-writing the screenplay with the lead is not always the norm, but it does suggest that this is more than a director-for-hire situation. This is an exciting pairing, with the Knocked Up director being one of the most reliable voices in Hollywood comedy.
The cast is topped off by Cristin Milioti, Madelyn Cline, Stavros Halkias, and Li Jin Hao. Apatow produces through Apatow Productions, while Powell and Dan Cohen produce through Barnstorm and their first-look deal at Universal. Former Universal president of production Kevin Misher also produces for his Misher Films banner.
Apatow hasn’t directed a feature film since 2022’s The Bubble, and in recent years has pivoted more towards documentaries. For Apatow, The Comeback King will probably be his next project after a two-part HBO documentary on Mel Brooks that he’s co-directing with Michael Bonfiglio.
The momentum is building for Powell. His deal with Universal began with 2024’s Twisters, which grossed $267 million+ at the domestic box office. Since 2024, Powell has taken high-profile roles in The Running Man, How to Make a Killing, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and still has J.J. Abrams‘ sci-fi fantasy The Great Beyond on the horizon.
The Comeback King is confident to be one of the most-anticipated comedies of early 2027. With a healthy studio, two creative forces co-writing the script, and a supporting cast that has a lot going for it before the cameras even start rolling.
