Vince Vaughn on the "Endangered" State of Comedy and His New Sci-Fi Original

In a 2026 interview, Vince Vaughn discusses the "endangered" state of movie comedies, his new sci-fi film on Disney+, and the status of a Wedding Crashers sequel.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 4, 2026, 5:32 AM EDT

Source: news.com.au

The Decline of the Theatrical Comedy

Vaughn observes that the landscape of the film business has shifted dramatically since his 2003 breakout in Old School. He notes that while the appetite for laughter remains high—evidenced by the success of stand-up comedy and digital creators—major studios have become increasingly hesitant to fund original theatrical comedies.

"It’s gotten a little bit more Wall Street in a way, risk-averse," Vaughn laments, suggesting that the "playbook" for movies has changed to favor established intellectual property over the high-risk, high-reward nature of original R-rated romps. He expresses a desire to see creators under 30 revitalize the genre with fresh perspectives, hoping the "pendulum swings" back toward more experimental filmmaking.

Breaking the Sequel Cycle: Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice

Amidst a market dominated by remakes and superheroes, Vaughn highlights his new project, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice, as a rare original creation. The film blends comedy, action, drama, and science fiction, a combination that Vaughn says made him "sit up and take notice" during the script phase.

In the film, Vaughn plays a dual role: