Judd Apatow and Pee-wee Herman Team Up For Film About Stunted Adolescence

Exhibit A in the "Judd Apatow is the comedy version of Quentin Tarantino" argument: The uber-producer is helping Paul Reubens dust off his Pee-wee Herman costume for yet another big screen outing. Said Apatow: "Let's face it, the world needs more Pee-wee Herman." And if that sounds familiar, that's probably because it is a variation on what Tarantino was saying about Pam Grier sometime before Jackie Brown came out. So... what will Pee-wee's latest big adventure be like?

Another big adventure! The new film will reportedly rely heavily on a road trip conceit, much like Tim Burton's 1985 classic Pee-wee's Big Adventure. Reubens will work on the script with I Love You, Beth Cooper star (and Movieline's inaugural Verge alumnus) Paul Rust, who presumably will be in line to co-star alongside Reubens, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and the now-available Martin Starr. Nerds of the world unite and all.

Apatow won't direct -- meaning there's a chance this thing will clock in under 2-1/2 hours -- but he is still pumped: "I am so excited to be working with Paul Reubens -- who is an extraordinary and ground-breaking actor and writer. It's so great to watch him return with such relevance." And because you're clearly thinking about it, here's the famous "Tequila" scene from Burton's original film. Enjoy having this earworm stuck in your head all day!

· Apatow developing Pee-wee Herman pic [Variety] (subscription req.)