Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’s’ Eric Appel Joins Sony Comedy ’Stepdude’ as Writer-Director

Immediately following his hilarious, and critically-acclaimed Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, filmmaker Eric Appel has been hired as the writer and director for a new comedy film from Sony Pictures .This project has had a fascinating backstory that worthy of a film on its own. It was originally developed as a script called Oh Hell No set to star rapper/actor Ice Cube and comedian Jack Black. Weird: The Al Yankovic Story functioned as a biopic, albeit one loosely based on the life of the satirist and comedian, as well as an absurdist parody of the biopic genre. Appel told slashfilm.com

“The best hope I had for the project is that people would get fooled into thinking it was a real movie”

According to Variety” In late 2021, Ice Cube attracted national headlines when he dropped out of the film weeks before shooting was set to start in Hawaii. His exit was reportedly attributed to his refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at the request of the films producers. Black is still listed as a producer on the revamped “Stepdude,” but does not currently have a deal to act in the film. The premise of “Oh Hell No” involved two men of similar age to butt heads after one gets into a romantic relationship with the other’s mother. No updated plot was given except to say that details were under wraps. Matt Tolmach (“Venom,” the rebooted “Jumanji” franchise) and Roz Music are producing alongside Black.”

 Appel debuted the film “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” starring Harry potter’s Daniel Radcliffe, at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. He previously directed the Quibi series “Die Hart” which starred Kevin Hart and John Travolta, and has a steep sitcom directing resume — including a run on beloved productions such as “Happy Endings,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “New Girl” and “The Office.” He was an early director for Funny Or Die and handled some of their iconic viral hits.

Appel started at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York City and wrote for productions such as “Human Giant,” “The Andy Milonakis Show,” and “Crank Yankers.” He is repped by CAA, Tucker Vorhees at Artists First, and attorney Lev Ginsburg at Ginsburg Daniels Kallis.