Danny McBride First Movie and Early Career
Danny McBride first movie is Your Highness, the 2011 fantasy comedy where he played the foul-mouthed warrior Thadeous. The film was produced by Universal Pictures and directed by David Gordon Green, who would later become a frequent collaborator. McBride co-wrote the script with Ben Best and Jody Hill, drawing on their earlier work together. The project marked his first starring role in a major studio release and introduced his signature blend of crude humor and action. Despite mixed reviews, the movie established McBride as a distinctive comedic voice in Hollywood.
Before Your Highness, McBride built a following through television and smaller film roles. He gained widespread attention for his role as Kenny Powers in the HBO series Eastbound & Down, which premiered in 2009. The show was produced by HBO Entertainment and ran for four seasons, earning critical acclaim for its irreverent writing and McBride's performance. His work on the series led directly to the opportunities that culminated in his first movie lead. The transition from television to film was swift, with Your Highness arriving just two years after the show's debut.
Key Details About Danny McBride's Debut Film
Your Highness was released in the United States on April 8, 2011, and was distributed by Universal Pictures domestically. The film had a production budget of approximately $50 million and grossed around $28 million worldwide, making it a commercial underperformer relative to its cost. It was rated R for strong crude and sexual content, pervasive language, and drug use throughout. The cast also included Natalie Portman, James Franco, and Zooey Deschanel in prominent roles. The movie was filmed in various locations and produced by Relativity Media and Red Hour Films, the production company co-founded by McBride and Jody Hill.
The film's reception highlighted both McBride's comedic range and the challenges of the fantasy comedy genre. Critics noted the film's reliance on profanity and absurdist humor, which divided audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a score in the mid-20s percent range based on critic reviews. Despite its box office results, Your Highness developed a cult following over the years, particularly among fans of McBride's particular style of comedy. The movie remains a key reference point for understanding the trajectory of his career and the type of roles he would later pursue.
Danny McBride's Career After His First Movie
Following Your Highness, McBride continued to work with director David Gordon Green on several projects, including the acclaimed HBO series Vice Principals and the film Alaska. He also starred in and co-created the action-comedy series Righteous Killers for FX. His filmography expanded to include roles in major studio releases such as Anchorman 2: The Legend Goes On and Ocean's Eleven sequels. McBride has also produced and directed projects through his production company, Rough House Pictures, which he co-founded with Jody Hill and Ben Best.
McBride's career demonstrates a consistent focus on comedy with edge, often collaborating with the same creative teams across multiple projects.