From comedy star to awards-worthy turns to becoming a director with “Mid90s,” Jonah Hill‘s career has had an interesting arc. And its next development is even more curious. Hill has a new movie out at Fall festivals, his documentary “Stutz,” a film he shot in secret about mental health and the actor’s worsening anxiety attacks. What’s more: Hill’s anxiety is so crippling that he’ll avoid promotion for the film and other films he’s a part of.
Deadline reports that Hill explained his stance in an exclusive statement. In short, Hill isn’t retiring, but he will no longer involve himself in the promotional side of future projects. That includes not only “Stutz” but also the upcoming Netflix comedy “You People,” a film he stars in and co-produces with first-time director Kenya Barris. In his absence, Hill hopes “Stutz” speaks for itself as it rounds the festival circuit and that the film helps normalize some of the anxiety-related issues he deals with.
Is this a kind of publicity stunt by Hill to help promote his latest film? It’s difficult to say, especially since “Stutz” has yet to have a world premiere, and no one knows yet what mental health-related issues it delves into. His absence from also promoting “You People” legitimizes his statement, though. The other obvious question: will Hill’s stance on avoiding promotional and press/media appearances change? Only time will tell on that one.
Read Jonah Hill’s full statement to Deadline below:
“I have finished directing my second film, a documentary about me and my therapist which explores mental health in general called “Stutz.” The whole purpose of making this film is to give therapy and the tools I’ve learned in therapy to a wide audience for private use through an entertaining film.
“Through this journey of self-discovery within the film, I have come to the understanding that I have spent nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks, which are exacerbated by media appearances and public facing events.
“I am so grateful that the film will make its world premiere at a prestigious film festival this fall, and I can’t wait to share it with audiences around the world in the hope that it will help those struggling. However, you won’t see me out there promoting this film, or any of my upcoming films, while I take this important step to protect myself. If I made myself sicker by going out there and promoting it, I wouldn’t be acting true to myself or to the film.
“I usually cringe at letters or statements like this but I understand that I am of the privileged few who can afford to take time off. I won’t lose my job while working on my anxiety. With this letter and with “Stutz,” I’m hoping to make it more normal for people to talk and act on this stuff. So they can take steps towards feeling better and so that the people in their lives might understand their issues more clearly.
“I hope the work will speak for itself and I’m grateful to my collaborators, my business partners and to all reading this for your understanding and support.
-Jonah Hill