Jonah Hill talks 21 Jump Street

Posted on January 18, 2010
Filed Under Actors, Adaptation, Directors, TV show

I was just over at ComingSoon.net and read about Jonah Hill’s upcoming film adaptation of the popular 1980s television show, “21 Jump Street” (first aired in 1987). Personally I always thought the adaptation would follow more in the footsteps of the original, more of action/drama. But then again, it has already been done and although Johnny Depp regrets his years with the show, it was his breakthrough and the show became a success. So this new action/comedy style might just be what the doctor ordered. You can’t really take the show any further following the path already taken.

“We’re going to shoot it this year I think.” says Hill, “We hired directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller who directed ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs‘ and are friends of mine. They are incredible. Their take on the movie is incredible… It’s about cops who go back to high school. Young rookie cops who go back to high school. I think that’s a real interesting idea as opposed to saying, that’s not what happened in the show so it can’t happen in the movie“.

Working from a script by Michael Bacall and Joe Gazzam with an original idea by Hill (who is also executive producing), the film will keep the same basic premise as the series but will have a tone that Hill believes will surprise fans.

“Audiences are not expecting what it’s going to be. It’s not a parody of the show. I’m not playing Johnny Depp’s character… I’m not saying I’m Johnny Depp. I’m not playing his character. It’s a group of people that go back to high school to deal with a drug problem. To deal with crime in high school. I really love the “Back to the Future” moment of that where it’s getting to relive a certain period of your life… It’s a comedy with really cool action. We’re not doing something serious like ‘Miami Vice.’ But it’s not a parody. It’s a funny movie with a lot of great action and a real story. I’ve been saying that it’s like a John Hughes movie with ‘Bad Boys‘ style action.”

Outside of Hill there is no cast currently lined up. The focus is on tailoring the script to Lord and Miller’s vision, but Hill is certain that the production is headed in a great direction, adding, “I wouldn’t make it if it wouldn’t be awesome.”

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