Universal sees the 'Whole' picture
Helms will star in, co-write 'New Hugh'
|
U bought the comedy pitch by Helms, Jake Fleisher and Ian Berger for Apatow to produce through his shingle on the lot. Helms will star and co-write the project about three guys who try to boost their friend's confidence by making him appear to be successful.
Project follows Helms' cameo in "Walk Hard," a Jake Kasdan comedy that Apatow is producing for Sony.
Apatow enthused about "The Office" thesp, calling him a national treasure, before waggishly adding that "the nation does not know it yet."
Helms also co-stars in "Evan Almighty," the Universal sequel to "Bruce Almighty" starring Steve Carell, a fellow alum of "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," and will soon begin shooting "Starship Dave" with Eddie Murphy for Fox.
Fleisher and Berger have a few TV credits to their names and previously teamed with Helms on a couple of films, including a Fox Animation project.
"A Whole New Hugh" is one of several projects Apatow has lined up to follow U's "Knocked Up," starring Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl. Besides "Walk Hard," which he co-wrote, Apatow co-wrote and is producing "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" with Happy Madison Prods. for Sony and "Attorneys at Raw," a David Krumholtz comedy set up at U.
