Fox Buys Comedy From John Hamburg, Dan Kopelman & Kapital Entertainment With Put Pilot Commitment

EXCLUSIVE: A high-concept comedy, which drew interest from all major broadcast networks, has landed at Fox with a put pilot commitment. Titled The Henchman, the single-camera comedy project was written on spec by Dan Kopelman (Rules Of Engagement, Malcolm In The Middle), with feature writer-director John Hamburg (Meet The Parents franchise, I Love You, Man) set to direct and Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment executive producing. Described as a live-action, grounded comedy in the vein of Despicable Me, The Henchman centers on a henchman to the world’s worst super-villain who deals with single parenthood and impending middle age. The project is yet to be laid off at a studio, with Fox sibling 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. TV considered strong possibilities. Kopelman penned The Henchman on spec, which he further developed with Kaplan. The two also are developing a comedy at Nickelodeon loosely based on  actress Tia Mowry-Hardrict‘s upbringing. Kaplan and Kopelman gave The Henchman script to Hamburg who loved it and came on board. The trio are executive producing. As a producer, Kaplan has solid track record with specs, getting pilot orders for HR at Lifetime, and Isabel and Daddy’s Girls at NBC. He has six series on the air, ABC’s The Neighbors and Nick’s Wendell & Vinnie and the upcoming Back In The Game on ABC, Friends With Better Lives on CBS, Instant Mom on NickMom and Chasing Life on ABC Family. The sale continues comedy projects’ hot streak this development season with a slew of pilot production and put pilot commitments. Kopelman is with UTA and Jared Levine, Hamburg with WME.