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adam mckay

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Get Your First Look at Adam McKay’s Latest Damning Satire “Don’t Look Up”
September 8, 2021
News
adam mckay, don't look up, jennifer lawrence, leonardo dicaprio, netflix

In the time that Adam McKay has left Gary Sanchez on to more hard hitting, satirical pastures with The Big Short and Vice, it’s clear that McKay has carved out an auteur niche and is very likely going to continue to put out high profile satires that go to the very core of our worst demons (McKay is also at work on a project about the profiteering coming from COVID-19).

The latest work he’s offering up is Don’t Look Up, which is a timely look at people disregarding scientists in lieu of comforting ignorance. Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio lead off an ensemble cast as scientists desperately trying to warn the powers that be about an incoming asteroid. If you love that razor sharp style of McKay’s last two films and were wanting to see a, perhaps, funnier version of Melancholia, this will very likely be the movie for you this year.

Best of all, we’re getting this cautionary tale as a gift as it will stream on Netflix on Christmas Eve this year. Get a look for what we’re in for with Don’t Look Up in this teaser here.

Shiva Baby Was So Good, Writer/Director Emma Seligman Is Developing Sugar Baby Series with Adam McKay
April 9, 2021
News
adam mckay, emma seligman, hbo, hbo max, shiva baby

(via Deadline)

It has been a week since the official release of the dark, satirical comedy Shiva Baby and not only is earning bountiful praise, but it’s garnering more interest for projects from the mind of Emma Seligman, the film’s writer and director.

Specifically, Adam McKay has teamed up with Seligman to develop a series on being a “sugar baby”, a core element of Shiva Baby, over at HBO. The whipsmart-ness of Seligman’s sensibilities were a more than refreshing arrival to the growing mountain of content that’s available to us all that we felt compelled to watch as the pandemic is still very much not over yet. The juxtaposing of the bisexual triangle with Rachel Sennott playing a “sugar baby” all at a shiva was so deftly handled with the the awkward hysterics being turned all the way up from the very first moment to the last.

Seligman’s voice deserves to be heard way more loudly and way more often as evidenced by all the great noise that has come with the release of Shiva Baby. An HBO series following the world of “sugar babies” is a great place to start (especially with McKay who has seemingly been dead set on making political satires like Vice) and we can’t wait to see both the series and what else it will inevitably lead to.

Oh yeah, let’s not forget that Seligman and Shiva Baby star Rachel Sennott are already working on another movie, a juicy lesbian comedy together, Bottoms, too.

Kumail Nanjiani & Adam McKay Are Making a Spy Action Comedy ‘No Glory’ Based on a Manuscript by a Former National Security Operative
February 27, 2019
Uncategorized
adam mckay, kumail nanjiani, no glory

Kumail Nanjiani & Adam McKay Are Making a Spy Action Comedy ‘No Glory’ Based on a Manuscript by a Former National Security Operative

No Glory, which will be based on the yet-to-be-published manuscript from former National Security Operative Scott Shepard, has Kumail and McKay attached to an adapted script by Sam Bain. 

As few other details are available at this time, we’d like to make an educated guess (based on the mix of Kumail, spy action comedy, and McKay’s current auteur period of scathing satire) that No Glory might end up being a much more high octane version of Amazon’s Patriot.

Even if it’s not, McKay and Nanjiani together does sure seem like a winning combo and we can’t wait to see whatever this is.

CBS Gets a Bit Edgy with “No Activity” from Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Funny or Die
October 30, 2017
Uncategorized
adam mckay, cbs all access, funny or die, no activity, trailer, will ferrell

This uncensored trailer for No Activity, which will be a marquee series of CBS streaming platform, CBS All Access, is decidedly (and thankfully) against type for the broadcast network. 

Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and Funny or Die along with the cavalcade of your favorite comedy stars (Tim Meadows, Jason Mantzoukas, Arturo Castro,  Bridget Everett, Amy Sedaris, etc.) explore what happens in the downtime of detectives and criminals (i.e. the countless hours spent waiting for something to happen).

Of course, such downtime leaves room for plenty of decidedly non-professional police or criminal syndicate behavior. See for yourself in the trailer here.

No Activity debuts on CBS All Access on November 12th.

CBS All Access Picks Up “No Activity”, a Drug Cartel Comedy from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay to Series
August 2, 2017
Uncategorized
adam mckay, cbs, cbs all access, no activity, will ferrell

CBS All Access Picks Up “No Activity”, a Drug Cartel Comedy from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay to Series

What seems fun about this series, based on the Aussie series of the same name, is that it takes the dynamic of a “buddy cop comedy” to the next level. 

No Activity specifically “…follows two low-level cops who have spent too much time in a car together; two criminals who are kept in the dark; two dispatch workers who haven’t clicked; and two Mexican tunnelers who are in too small a space considering they’ve only just met.” It’s a buddy comedy on all sides of the law.

Ferrell and McKay’s Gary Sanchez and Funny or Die will be producing it with CBS to be seen on CBS’ digital platform, CBS All Access.

Since it’s a digital series and has a Ferrell and McKay stamp on it and the original Aussie star Patrick Brammall is starring in this American version, we are crossing our fingers that this will get to seem less like the multicam sitcom fare that represents most of CBS’ comedy brand and that another original cast member, the amazing Sam Simmons will be brought on as well. 

Funny or Die Celebrates 10 Years with a Special Retrospective Series by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay
July 12, 2017
Uncategorized
adam mckay, docu series, funny or die, history, the landlord, will ferrell
image

10 years ago, The Landlord came out on Funny or Die and led Will Ferrell and Adam McKay on a path towards changing the game in terms of comedy content on the Web. 

To mark the milestone, Will and Adam are doing their own “accurate” recounting of FoD’s history in a new weekly series. Start with part one here. 
February 5, 2017
Uncategorized
adam mckay, hollywood, ian roberts, improv, in conversation, io west, live comedy

This night will go way back to the days that Adam McKay used to perform live and do improv. Ian Roberts being one of the UCB 4 is also another reason you shouldn’t miss this.

Get your tickets here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, open mics, and maps can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Variety Gets Interview with Mysterious Gary Sanchez (Not Adam McKay or Will Ferrell) of “Gary Sanchez Productions”
May 30, 2016
Uncategorized
adam mckay, gary sanchez, gary sanchez productions, variety, will ferrell

Apparently, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay “didn’t” just make him up from a random name on Will’s phone.

You can think of Gary Sanchez Productions as the sibling company to Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Funny or Die that takes on more the feature film side of things in contrast to FoD’s digital and TV angle.

The namesake of the company has been shrouded in secrecy for years as the production company’s landing page says: 

Gary Sanchez Productions is a film production company spearheaded by Paraguayan entrepreneur and financier Gary Sanchez. Also Americans Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, and Chris Henchy. Please see films so Mr. Sanchez can continue to live like king in poor, unequal country.Add Gary as a friend on Facebook!Please note: All inquiries regarding Rottweiler puppies should be directed to Mr. Sanchez’s home phone number. If you do not already have Mr. Sanchez’s home phone number, you will not be considered for the next litter. Mr. Sanchez is no longer accepting new clients.

There has even been an explanation from McKay about Sanchez just being a name and nothing more on WTF with Marc Maron.

For the first time ever, and “incidentally” on the 10th anniversary of Gary Sanchez Productions, Variety got a brief, but exclusive interview with the reclusive financier.

Such gems from the conversation include: 

Variety: What has been your proudest accomplishment in your time here?
Gary Sanchez: One time I fought a man from the hills of Paraguay named Bako who was large and fearless. He had killed jaguars with a stick many times. I broke his neck while his whole village watched and cried.Oh wait, you mean my proudest accomplishment in regards to the company? That would be “Daddy’s Home,” “Eastbound and Down,” “Drunk History” and “Step Brothers.” I also think “Welcome to Me” is a gem.

Read the rest here.

Adam McKay Talks the Early Days of His Comedy Career as Well as The Crazed Stunts He Pulled When UCB Started
December 10, 2015
Uncategorized
adam mckay, late show, stephen colbert, ucb, upright citizens brigade

Now an acclaimed director, Adam McKay used to be part of the early days of the Upright Citizens Brigade and, as such, used to pull some pretty ballsy pranks, especially for a time when the UCB 4 was just getting started.

Watch McKay go into detail with Stephen Colbert on The Late Show.

Funny or Die, Adam McKay, and Archie Comics Team Up For an Adaptation of “Archie” for Broadway
August 7, 2015
Uncategorized
adam mckay, archie, archie comics, broadway, funny or die

(via Deadline)

Funny or Die is really expanding their brand with their weatherman competition and now this Archie stage production.

Adam McKay is set to write it, while Funny or Die and Archie Comics will collaborate on the actual production at a date TBD.

McKay commented on the project, “Archie represents a bygone era of America and like all bygone eras, there are elements we miss and elements that should be bygone. This will be a musical that deals with both those realities in a bright, colorful and slightly demented way.”

So, with that in mind, you can look forward to both this Archie and A Confederacy of Dunces done live on stages in the not so distant future.

Ben Schwartz Feature Comedy Attaches Adam McKay as Director and Seth Rogen as Star
September 18, 2014
Uncategorized
adam mckay, ben schwartz, seth rogen

(via The Hollywood Reporter)

The likes of Ben Schwartz, Adam McKay, and Seth Rogen are teaming up on an upcoming untitled feature that was pitched by Schwartz. McKay is attached to direct and produce while Rogen is attached to star and also produce. 

There’s no synopsis, premise, or logline, but, already, we have the feeling that this project might, at the end of it, have a giant blooper reel or even an alternate uncut version.

Sony Pictures Animation Full Length Feature Adaptation of ‘Manimal’ Could Be The Next 21 Jump Street
July 22, 2014
Uncategorized
adam mckay, gary sanchez, ian roberts, jay martel, key & peele, manimal, sony pictures animation, will ferrell

(via Deadline)

A short lived 80’s TV series known as Manimal following a man who could morph into different animals and fight crime has been in development to be adapted into a movie by Sony Pictures Animation for some time now. Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez, and Jimmy Miller’s Mosaic have now hopped onto the project and it will hopefully have more traction in the next year or so.

In fact, Jay Martel and Ian Roberts, whose work you’re probably well acquainted with on Key & Peele, are set to write the script and this has so many elements to be every bit the fun meta comedy romp that 21 and 22 Jump Street has been.

UPDATE on Ant-Man Director: Peyton Reed Chosen, Adam McKay Will Help Script
June 7, 2014
Uncategorized
adam mckay, ant man, marvel, peyton reed

UPDATE on Ant-Man Director: Peyton Reed Chosen, Adam McKay Will Help Script

We just reported the possibility of Ant-Man being directed by David Wain. Another director in contention was Peyton Reed, who was just announced as the replacement for Edgar Wright. Reed whose name might not be as recognizable as Wain’s has a wide and varied directorial filmography including Yes Man, Upright Citizens Brigade the TV series, Bring It On, Mr. Show, The Weird Al Show, and more.

In sort of a twist, Adam McKay, who was a possible choice for Marvel as a director, will now help write the script. 

Adam McKay, Ruben Fleischer, and Rawson Thurber Being Considered to Replace Edgar Wright as “Ant-Man” Director
May 30, 2014
Uncategorized
adam mckay, ant man, edgar wright, funny or die, marvel, rawson thurber, ruben fleischer

Adam McKay, Ruben Fleischer, and Rawson Thurber Being Considered to Replace Edgar Wright as “Ant-Man” Director

Citing creative differences, Edgar Wright has left his post as director of the upcoming Ant-Man movie from Marvel Studios. Of course, a search for his replacement has been immediately underway with the aforementioned names of Adam McKay, Ruben Fleischer, and Rawson Thurber being floated around.

Many of you probably know McKay’s filmography/Funny or Die over Fleischer’s or Thurber’s, but know that Fleischer and Thurber helmed Zombieland and Dodgeball, respectively. Wright leaving the project is sad, but we’ll be intrigued what any one of the three will do. 

The Artist’s Michel Hazanavicius to Direct ‘Will’ Starring Zach Galifianakis
May 16, 2014
Uncategorized
adam mckay, michel hazanavicius, the artist, will ferrell, zach galifianakis

The Artist’s Michel Hazanavicius to Direct ‘Will’ Starring Zach Galifianakis

Do you remember The Artist taking Best Picture at The Oscars a few years ago, seemingly out of nowhere? Well, director Michel Hazanavicius is now moving into comedy by being set to direct Will from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.

In addition to that being an incredibly intriguing pairing, Galifianakis is now attached to star and Demetri Martin is writing Will. We can’t wait to see what comes of this.

NBC Starts Comedy Playground Initiative to Launch Two Series in 2015
April 9, 2014
Uncategorized
adam mckay, amy poehler, jason bateman, maya rudolph, nbc, open call, seth meyers, submissions

NBC Starts Comedy Playground Initiative to Launch Two Series in 2015

NBC is making a bold, but great move, by looking for two new original comedy series via submissions at their brand new Comedy Playground.

There will be taking pitches that will be reviewed by a board made up of Aziz Ansari, Jason Bateman, Robert Carlock, Sean Hayes, Mindy Kaling, Jason Katims, Josh Lieb, Eva Longoria, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Todd Milliner, Will Packer, Amy Poehler, Craig Robinson, Maya Rudolph, Mike Schur, Adam Scott and Mike Shoemaker, then narrowed to ten projects for pilot presentations, then will greenlight two series to follow each other in an one-hour block.

We can only hope that they’ll find their next hit comedy series to follow Parks and Recreation and Community for next year.

NBC Orders Comedy Pilots From Gary Sanchez Prods and Dan Mazer
January 16, 2014
Uncategorized
adam mckay, borat, dan mazer, david hornsby, gary sanchez, nbc, pilot season, television, will ferrell

NBC Orders Comedy Pilots From Gary Sanchez Prods and Dan Mazer

NBC latest addition to their development slate this pilot season is Mission Control from Will Ferrell & Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions that’s something like an Anchorman set at NASA and Love is Relative from Borat’s Dan Mazer.

There’s lots of interesting stuff that we’d like to some series from.
December 11, 2013
Uncategorized
adam mckay, christopher mintz-plasse, free shez, funny or die, human rights, patton oswalt, violation, wayne federman, will ferrell
Join Funny or Die and Friends to Help #FreeShez from Will Ferrell

Shez Cassim got put in jail in the United Arab Emirates for 8 months and counting because of this video clearly intended to be just a funny video.

Join Funny Or Die and Friends to Help #FreeShez. Will Ferrell, Patton Oswalt, Adam McKay, Wayne Federman, Chris Mintz-Plasse, and many more comedy friends express their support to #FreeShez. 

(Source: http://www.funnyordie.com/)

Adam McKay Would Like to Release Second Version of ‘Anchorman 2′ With Over 200 New Jokes
October 26, 2013
Uncategorized
adam mckay, anchorman 2

Adam McKay Would Like to Release Second Version of ‘Anchorman 2′ With Over 200 New Jokes

As you’d imagine, there’s so much goofing around on the set of the Anchorman sequel, that there would be a whole movie worth of off script genius. 

Turns out that was exactly the case and Adam McKay would like to release that whole other version to theaters.

Jason Sudeikis Added to Gary Sanchez Productions Version of a Romantic Comedy, “Sleeping With Other People”
September 10, 2013
Uncategorized
adam mckay, gary sanchez, jason sudeikis, kirsten dunst, will ferrell

Jason Sudeikis Added to Gary Sanchez Productions Version of a Romantic Comedy, “Sleeping With Other People”

Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s production company Gary Sanchez is filling out their cast with Jason Sudeikis and the already cast Kirsten Dunst for one of their latest feature projects “Sleeping With Other People”, which based off the premise, would be the way that Ferrell and McKay would make a romantic comedy.

Keep an eye out for this one as it might just turn out to be a nice indie rom com.

Adam McKay Like Matt Braunger in the L.A. Times
April 29, 2011
Uncategorized
adam mckay, la times, matt braunger

Adam McKay Like Matt Braunger in the L.A. Times

mattbraunger:

This is so amazing. I’m such a huge fan of Adam’s from Anchorman, Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, etc, all the way back to his work on SNL.

This made my month. Thanks, Adam! 

Good for Matt Braunger! That’s more than Favstar could do, right?

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