Lewis Pullman Eyes a Spot in Aussie-Style Comedy
Lewis Pullman, son of Bill Pullman, is keen to join David Gordon Green and Danny McBride’s unique comedy world, despite their recent horror missteps.
Growing up with Bill Pullman as your old man—yep, the bloke who gave that rousing speech in Independence Day—would put a fair bit of pressure on anyone. Bill’s not just known for saving the world on screen; he’s popped up in everything from Lost Highway to Sleepless in Seattle, and even had a go at being a friendly ghost’s mate in Casper. With a legacy like that, you’d reckon Lewis Pullman might have struggled to carve out his own path, but he’s managed to do just that, and then some.
After making a splash in Bad Times at the El Royale, Lewis has shown he’s not just riding his dad’s coattails. He’s had a crack at all sorts—dark comedies, horror flicks, and even a stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The bloke’s got range, no doubt about it.
Chasing a Comedy Dream
But there’s still one itch Lewis is keen to scratch. In a yarn with The Hollywood Reporter, he let slip that there’s a particular style of comedy he’s dead set on trying. More to the point, there are two filmmakers he’s got his eye on.
“I really wanna try and weasel my way into the David Gordon Green, Danny McBride world,”
he admitted.
“They’ve kind of created their own genre of comedy, and it’s right up my alley in so many ways, and it looks like so much fun that they’re having. Like whenever I’m bummed out, I literally watch bloopers from Eastbound & Down or Vice Principals or Righteous Gemstones, and it is an immediate blast.”
Green and McBride have been mates since the early 2000s, with McBride usually behind the camera and Green taking a turn in front. They hit the big time with comedies like Pineapple Express and Your Highness, and later teamed up for telly hits like Eastbound & Down and Vice Principals. Their brand of humour—offbeat, a bit cheeky, and never taking itself too seriously—has won them plenty of fans, including Lewis.
From Comedy Gold to Horror Blunders
In recent years, though, the pair have taken a detour into horror, rebooting the Halloween series and having a go at The Exorcist: Believer. Let’s just say those efforts weren’t exactly crowd-pleasers. Some reckon they should’ve copped a stint in ‘movie jail’ for what they did to those classics. Still, it’s the earlier, funnier stuff that’s got Lewis so keen to join their crew.
If he’d been talking about Green and McBride’s unique brand of comedy five years back, he’d have been spot on. Back then, they were riding high, with The Righteous Gemstones getting rave reviews and their earlier shows still a hit with punters. These days, their reputation’s taken a bit of a knock, but Lewis is clearly hoping they’ll get back to what they do best.
Looking Ahead
Maybe the dust will settle, and Green and McBride will return to the sort of comedies that made them household names. If that happens, Lewis Pullman’s ready and waiting for the call-up. As long as they don’t try to stick him in a hockey mask, he’ll fit right in with their offbeat, irreverent style.