Jonah Hill is joining Joaquin Phoenix in director Gus Van Sant’s biopic of quadriplegic cartoonist John Callahan, Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, an adaptation of Callahan’s memoir that is being produced by Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin. Iconoclast Pictures is also producing.
Phoenix will play Callahan while Hill is slotted to appear as one of the cartoonist’s key caregivers.
Callahan became an alcoholic at the age of 12, a drug abuser in his mid-teens and a quadriplegic at 21 after being involved in a car accident following a day of drinking. He managed to rebuild his life to become an envelope-pushing cartoonist, learning to use both hands to draw and also reconciling with members of his family. He died in 2010.
Don’t Worry is a passion project for Van Sant, as the filmmaker once tried to get it up and running with comedian Robin Williams.
Hill is coming off a surprise Golden Globe nomination in the musical/comedy category for his work in War Dogs. Among his near-future projects is The Ballad of Richard Jewell, which will be helmed by O.J.: Made in America director Ezra Edelman.
Hill is repped by WME, LBI Entertainment and attorney Karl Austen of Jackoway Tyerman.
