Jonah Hill to Form Own Production House

Jonah Hill to Form Own Production House

Movie News

By our guest blogger, Nick Hanover

Jonah Hill has signed onto a development deal with Fox that gives the company first dibs on properties, according to Deadline. The site's sources claim that Fox has already purchased a spec script of Hill's for a one-camera comedy that the actor may direct as well. This is on top of Hill's "Allen Gregory" animated sitcom, which the star co-created and voices. Fox ordered a seven episode run of that comedy and aims to premier it next season.

"Allen Gregory" is set to follow the adventures of a determined, highly accomplished 7-year-old as he begins his elementary school career. The series is a partnership between Hill and Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul and Fox seems to have hopes that it will be a contender to take on the throne of "The Simpsons," since its protagonist appears to be a cross between Bart Simpson and "Family Guy's" Stewie.

Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly appears to have quite a bit of faith in Hill, going so far as to proclaim that the young comedian is "one of the most prolific young talents in comedy today," and his "wickedly smart sensibility" is "perfect for Fox." While Hill hasn't quite reached the heights of peers Seth Rogen or Jason Segel just yet, the actor has had an impressive string of successes since his breakout role in "Superbad." Since then, Hill has appeared in Apatow productions like "Get Him to the Greek" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" as well as artier indie fare like the well-received "Cyrus."

It's clear that Hill is ambitious and is aiming to avoid a career free fall like others of his generation. Hopefully Fox will prove to be the right climate for that.