This Is 50: Is Judd Apatow's This Is 40 Sequel Happening? Everything We Know

This Is 50 is a long-awaited sequel to Judd Apatow's This Is 40, and there's been scant news since the project was highlighted. One of Judd Apatow's more middling movies, This Is 40 has the tall order of following the acclaimed and groundbreaking Knocked Up as a sequel, focusing on Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) from the original film who are on the cusp of their fortieth birthdays. This Is 40 continued the trend Apatow set with Funny People where his films began to take on a more biting tone compared to lighter films like Knocked Up.

There's something a little too real about Apatow's examination of middle-age malaise in This Is 40. That his wife and daughters star in it makes it all the more incisive. This all makes for a bit of a less "pleasant" experience, but This Is 40 is still absolutely worth watching. The performances, the writing, and the comedy are all top-notch, even if two hours and 10 minutes feel like a lot for a comedy. Apatow has talked about his interest in returning to the story with a sequel, This Is 50, but the idea never seems to get that far.

This Is 50 Is Not Confirmed

Apatow Is Still Considering The Idea

Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) sitting in bed watching TV and reading a book in This Is 40.

At the moment, This Is 50 is not confirmed. Back in March 2022, Judd Apatow announced that he wanted to make This Is 50 (via TheWrap). Apatow said,

"I've always wanted to make 'This Is 50' and it is time... I couldn't have done it five years ago and I can't do it five years from now, so I've been outlining that and hope it's something that we get to do. I feel like [This Is 40] has really aged well, and it always feels like everyone watches it when they turn 40 and they go, 'Oh, I understand it all now' (laughs). So I’m enthusiastic about putting that together."

This was 10 years after This Is 40 so it would have made sense for the sequel to come out around 2022. Apatow inked a multi-year movie and TV deal with Universal in March 2022, so many expected that This Is 50 would eventually arrive, but it never materialized (via Variety). In a recent update, Apatow said that he's still thinking about This Is 50 but is struggling to find a time when his family is available, a reference to the recent success of his daughters, Maude and Iris, and the continued success of his wife, Leslie (via ThePlaylist),

"I have an idea for something ['This is 50']… I have an idea for that, so it's something I've been outlining on the side that I would love to do, but right now, it's all about, 'is my family available?'"

It's good that Apatow is still thinking about This Is 50, but it doesn't sound like it's coming any time soon.

This Is 50 Cast

Most Of The Main Cast Should Be Expected To Return

If This Is 50 does happen, the family will certainly have to be a part of it, with Paul Rudd as Pete, Leslie Mann as Debbie, Maude Apatow as Sadie, and Iris Apatow as Charlotte all certain to appear. Other possible returning characters include those who appeared in both Knocked Up and This Is 40, which includes Jason Segel as Jason, Charlyne Yi as Jodi, and Tim Bagley as Dr. Pellegrino. Other possible returning cast members include Melissa McCarthy as Catherine and Chris O'Dowd as Ronnie.

Possible This Is 50 Cast & Characters
Actor	Role
Paul Rudd	Pete
Leslie Mann	Debbie
Maude Apatow	Sadie
Iris Apatow	Charlotte
Jason Segel	Jason
Charlyne Yi	Jodi
Tim Bagley	Dr. Pellegrino
Melissa McCarthy	Catherine
Chris O'Dowd	Ronnie

This Is 50 Story Details

Maude Apatow Could Be The Star Of This Is 50

Paul Rudd as Pete leaning forward and looking concerned in This Is 40

While Apatow says he has an idea for This Is 50, he didn't share what that idea is. It's difficult to guess exactly what This Is 50 will be about considering that the title basically gives away the plot and Apatow is known for simply showing the realities of life in his films. So This Is 50 could just be about Pete and Debbie's lives in their 50s, and everything that that specific age brings. Apatow has never been afraid to put his own life onto film, so perhaps he may take a closer look at his own daughter this time around.

Maude Apatow has become an emerging acting star, so maybe Sadie in This Is 50 could follow a similar trajectory. Her father works in the music industry, just as Apatow works in the film industry, so maybe Sadie will become an emerging musician. Her story could mirror Maude's and This Is 50 could see Pete having to come to terms with his daughter's growing success and independence in an industry he knows. Whatever he does, Apatow had better hurry up, or like 28 Year Later skipping 28 Months Later, he'll have to go right to This Is 60.