Zak Penn’s Best Bits

Zak Penn is one of the biggest names you’ve maybe never heard of. He’s a storyteller with a flair for blending humor, suspense — and the odd superpower here and there. His Marvel works are certainly his most famous — don’t worry, we’ll spend some time talking about those. But, some of his other work is arguably even better. From sharp-witted campus capers to probing the psyche of anti-heroes, Penn’s works are complex and diverse. Let’s take a look through his highlights.

PCU (1994)

Zak Penn burst onto the scene with PCU, a comedy that has become a cult favorite among fans of collegiate hijinks. Set at Port Chester University, the film follows a group of irreverent students battling the rigid social norms of their politically correct campus. Jeremy Piven’s turn as the ringleader of this ragtag crew adds a dose of frenetic charm, but the real standout is Penn’s razor-sharp satire. The film gleefully mocks campus stereotypes while asking sly questions about the balance between activism and absurdity. For a first outing, PCU demonstrates Penn’s ability to craft humor with a bite.

Incident at Loch Ness (2004)

In Incident at Loch Ness, Zak Penn takes mockumentary filmmaking to eccentric new heights, teaming up with legendary director Werner Herzog. The film’s premise as a documentary about the Loch Ness Monster, spirals into delightful chaos as eerie and comedic elements collide. Penn plays himself in this movie, crafting a meta-narrative that’s equal parts funny and fascinating. Herzog’s deadpan performance complements Penn’s clever writing, proving that even cryptozoological satire can have emotional depth.

The Grand (2007)

In 2007 Penn was back with another mockumentary, this time exploring the world of competitive poker. There’s a star studded cast of quirky characters including Woody Harrelson and Cheryl Hines. Between them, they’re all vying for the top prize, but with its semi-improvised style, this film is a ‘weird’ one. There are scripted bits that are laugh out loud funny, off the wall improvisation and it’s all set around a poker table. All that is to say, The Grand is a poker movie unlike any you’ll have seen before. It doesn’t follow the usual path of play, whether that’s the path to victory, the path around the table, or any other well-known poker route! In a similar way in the online sphere, tournaments like PokerStars Power Path buck the trend, inviting keen players to compete for their chance to win a place at one of the most prestigious tournament games in Europe. While we can’t guarantee it will be as hilarious as The Grand, it’s a pretty niche way of putting a tournament together and one that Penn would probably be in favor of.

Suspect Zero (2004)

Dark, brooding, and psychologically complex, Suspect Zero marks a departure from Penn’s more comedic fare. This thriller stars the absolutely brilliant Ben Kingsley as a vigilante serial killer. Not just any serial killer though, he uses his own psychic abilities to track down (did you guess it?) other killers. It’s a cool concept and one that could appear schlocky without clever writing. The film’s atmosphere is drenched in moral ambiguity. Aaron Eckhart’s FBI agent is tasked with catching Kingsley – but is it the right thing to do? The ethics of this pursuit are uncharted waters that the screenplay navigates tremendously. It’s a shame that it didn’t gain the massive attention it deserved upon release. But, Suspect Zero remains a hidden gem in Penn’s repertoire, showcasing his skill at weaving suspense with the most morally provocative themes.

Elektra (2005)

Penn’s first full credit for a Marvel film came with Elektra, a Daredevil spinoff that spotlighted Jennifer Garner’s assassin-turned-anti-hero. While the film struggled to find its footing critically, it’s an underappreciated attempt to explore a female-led superhero story long before it was the norm in Hollywood. Penn’s script injects layers of vulnerability into Elektra Natchios, who faces both external threats and her own haunted past. The mystical elements and action sequences feel like an experiment in genre-blending, offering glimpses of what the Marvel Cinematic Universe would later perfect.