Tag: you don’t mess with the zohan script

Judd Apatow Scripts

Judd Apatow has been credited with producing and writing some of the funniest films of this generation. However, it was only recently that he was able to accomplish this. He started his career in the film industry in the mid-90’s, producing and writing comedies such as Heavyweights (2005) and The Cable Guy (1996). Neither of these films were mainstream successes, despite The Cable Guy’s all star cast. Apatow was stunned that The Cable Guy wasn’t a monumental success. He believed that it would be just the thing to jump start his career.

The problem with The Cable Guy was really more of a timing issue than anything else. In the 1990’s, people were not ready for the type of dark comedy that Apatow presented. Comedies were distinguished from other genres by their lack of a poignant storyline. The Cable Guy was crossing genre boundaries, which may have led to its monumental disaster.

Apatow continued working and attempting to write films that would be successes. His big chance came when he wrote The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005). His timing was perfect. Film studios had been getting lazy. Instead of trying to create new ideas, comedic writers were settling for regurgitating the same old jokes under different packaging (i.e. Epic Movie).

The film was an outstanding success, making millions of dollars worldwide. Apatow’s writing style, once believed to be too quirky, proved to be a template to a new type of comedy. Seth Rogan’s Superbad (2007) followed the Apatow template and made over $100 million dollars. The template, which uses moralistic messages mixed with humorous antidotes and raunchy sight gags, have projected the comedy genre into a whole different field. In this field, comedic
films are not restricted by their genre. They can incorporate seriously dramatic elements, horror and romance in a way that touches peoples’ hearts as well as their funny bones.

Some screenwriters are beyond their time and will not be appreciated until later in life. This should not stop them from writing though. Screenwriters will do themselves a favor by learning from Apatow and refusing to give up on their ideas or toss them aside as “unmarketable.” A few years from now, who knows what the public will be attracted to?

Filmography

  1. (2012) This is 40
  2. (2009) Funny People Script
  3. (2008) Pineapple Express Script
  4. (2008) You Don’t Mess with the Zohan Script
  5. (2007) Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Script
  6. (2007) Knocked Up Script
  7. (2005) Fun with Dick and Jane  [Transcript]
  8. (2005) The 40 Year Old Virgin Script
  9. (1995) Heavyweights Script ($)

Adam Sandler Acting Scripts

Adam Sandler is one of the few comedic actors that have successfully transitioned into dramatic and romantic roles as well. In the beginning of his career, Sandler was known for his goofy (and sometimes tasteless) sense of humor; beginning with Billy Madison (1995) and ending with Little Nicky (2000). For those five years, Sandler could easily be predicted. Going to his movies guaranteed a couple of good laughs and no deep message to consume the audience’s thoughts afterwards.

Then came Punch Drunk Love (2002), an independent-styled romantic picture with loads of drama and a bit of comedy as well. The film was directed by Paul Anderson, a well-respected director known for his work in the film Magnolia (1999) and There Will Be Blood (2007). Stereotypically thinking, this director’s idea for a film was much different than the Happy Gilmore-esque films from Sandler’s past.

However, the risk that Sandler took was not in vain and the movie was a huge success.  The film was nominated for 5 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay; and Sandler’s acting career took off even more after that.

While still making occasional slapstick films per his usual style, Sandler took a different road from most comedic actors and started taking roles in films with a dramatic or romantic overtone.

His greatest decision though, was when he decided to produce his own films. The films that resulted from this (i.e. “Click”) took elements from all different genres; including romance, drama and, of course, comedy. These movies have been pretty successful as well, considering their complexity.

If there is ever an Oscar given to a comedic actor, then the best candidate would have to be Adam Sandler. With the art and complexity that he was welded with comedy, there is no doubt that he is a pioneer in the field of film making and acting.

  1. (2010) Grown Ups
  2. (2009) Funny People Script
  3. (2008) Bedtime Stories [Transcript]
  4. (2008) You Don’t Mess With the Zohan [Transcript] 
  5. (2007) Reign Over Me
  6. (2007) I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry [Transcript]
  7. (2006) Click
  8. (2005) The Longest Yard [Transcript]
  9. (2004) Spanglish Script
  10. (2004) 50 First Dates [Transcript]
  11. (2003) Anger Management [Transcript] 
  12. (2002) Eight Crazy Nights [Transcript] 
  13. (2002) Mr. Deeds [Transcript]
  14. (2002) Punch Drunk Love Script
  15. (2000) Little Nicky Script  
  16. (1999) Big Daddy [Transcript]
  17. (1998) The Waterboy [Transcript]
  18. (1998) The Wedding Singer [Transcript]
  19. (1996) Happy Gilmore [Transcript]
  20. (1995) Billy Madison
  21. (1994) Airheads

You Don’t Mess with the Zohan

You Don't Mess with the Zohan poster thumbnail
Year:2008
Director:Dennis Dugan
Written by:Adam Sandler (Screenplay), Judd Apatow (Screenplay)

Script Synopsis:An Israeli counterterrorism soldier with a secretly fabulous ambition to become a Manhattan hairstylist. Zohan's desire runs so deep that he'll do anything -- including faking his own death and going head-to-head with an Arab cab driver -- to make his dreams come true.
You Don't Mess with the Zohan Script Resources:

  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan Script PDF - 02/05/2007 at Script Fly ($)
  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan Script PDF - Undated at Script Fly ($)
  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan Script PDF - NO DRAFT DATE at Script City ($)
  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan Transcript at Script-O-Rama

Note: Multiple links are listed since (a) different versions exist and (b) many scripts posted become unavailable over time. Please notify me if you encounter a stale link.


Other Links:
  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan ( tt0960144 ) at IMDb
  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan ( 10661 ) at TheMovieDB.org
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Judd Apatow Movie Scripts


Judd Apatow is as recognized a writer-director as he is a producer. This versatile Hollywood laughsmith has managed to make his mark with his clever and witty sense of comedy.

Packing  just the right amount of heart into his punchlines, Judd Apatow has managed to bring his scripts to life with the comic timings of Hollywood comedians like Seth Rogen and Steve Carell.

Check out a collection of Judd Apatow’s script work in the links below:

1. Funny People Script (2009)
2. You Don’t Mess with the Zohan Script (Dialogue Transcript) (2008)
3. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Dialogue Transcript) (2007)
4. Knocked Up Script (PDF Download) (2007)
5. Fun with Dick and Jane Script (Dialogue Transcript) (2005)
6. The 40 Year Old Virgin Script (2005)
7. Celtic Pride Script $ (For Purchase) (1996)
8. Heavy Weights Script $ (For Purchase) (1995)