Jonah Hill‘s latest movie, Outcome, comprises a joke that references Kanye West and his history of antisemitism and remarks against Jews. The actor-filmmaker, who is Jewish, has now explained his inclusion and whether he was mocking the controversial rapper in a recent interview. Starring Keanu Reeves in the lead role, the film premieres on Apple TV on April 10, 2026. Besides him and Hill, it also stars Matt Bomer and Cameron Diaz.

Jonah Hill explains he didn’t ‘take a shot’ at Kanye West with Outcome joke

While promoting the film in an appearance on The Zane Lowe Show, Jonah Hill revealed that the joke in Outcome, referencing Kanye West, is when his character’s assistant notes, “We did the research, and it turns out hating Jews doesn’t hurt your career, it helps it,” before cutting to a picture of the rapper.

The filmmaker clarified that it wasn’t meant to “take a shot” at West, whom he expressed admiration for. “I love the Kanye that I’ve met over the years, I love the artist,” he explained. “I think there is no artist I probably love more across any genre ever… He is probably the greatest artist ever to live. And he thinks that.”

Hill called West a “genius” before expressing disapproval of the “hate stuff,” saying it was terrible to hear them, irrespective of who the person was. However, while he admitted that he did not know everything related to West’s issues and the controversy, he emphasized that he wasn’t going to attack someone while “they’re down.”

Hill then brought up West’s 2023 Instagram post, where he claimed he now liked Jews after watching the former in 21 Jump Street. The Superbad actor labeled the Bully artist’s public attempt to make up for his hateful comments “bizarre,” but stressed that it stuck with him in a manner that was “all good.”

The two-time Oscar nominee made it clear that he had no “beef” with West. Expressing compassion for him, he stated, “I love him still, and I hope whatever happens, he can heal or whatever, and everyone can heal from all that stuff.”

He continued, “I hope he can heal and make it right with the people he needs to make it right [with] in the Jewish community.”