The world of comedy cannot wait for the release of the new and highly anticipated movie called “Saturday Night”, formerly known as “SNL 1975”, which is based on the story behind America’s most popular sketch comedy show. The movie is set to be presented by the remarkable directing pair of Jason Reitman and Gil Kenan with the cast list that features some popular actors and actresses of the present days. In this article, we will cover the details about the cast and the team behind this highly anticipated cinematic experience.
SNL: A Glimpse into Comedy History
“Saturday Night” is about capturing the fast pace and backstage mayhem the night before the first episode of Saturday Night Live. The film will show a real-time count backwards to one of the most memorable moments in television history with the phrase ‘Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!’
Scheduled to be released on October 11, 2024, that is, 49 years after the inception of SNL, “Saturday Night” will surely be worth a watch for comedy lovers and pop culture freaks. If the plan is to unveil it during this year’s TIFF, then the excitement is on a whole new level.
The Visionaries Behind the Camera
At the helm of this ambitious project are two accomplished filmmakers:
Jason Reitman: Celebrated by many fans, Reitman has previously directed films like “Juno” and “Up in the Air” that are rich in character growth and complex themes.
Gil Kenan: In Monster House, Kenan has worked in animated pictures, while in Poltergeist remake Reitman shows his talent in live-action movies.
This creative pair is expected to bring new vitality into the confusion of 1975 television production and embody a universal cultural trend in the making.
The Stars Align: Key Cast Members
The soul of any good movie is the cast and “Saturday Night” features remarkably talented young people portraying the comedy icons. Let’s take a closer look at who’s playing who in this star-studded lineup:
The Mastermind and His Allies
Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels: After making his film debut in ‘The Fabelmans,’ LaBelle takes on the character of SNL’s mastermind creator.
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Cooper Hoffman as Dick Ebersol: NBC executive Ebersol played by the son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman is another significant character in the making of SNL.
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Willem Dafoe as David Tebet: The experienced actor plays NBC’s vice-president of talent relations in the show.
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The Not Ready for Prime-Time Players
Matt Wood as John Belushi: Wood has been cast in the difficult part of the legendary and temperamental performer.
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Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd: The star of ‘Teen Wolf’ is the archetypal representation of the versatile Canadian comedian.
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Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris: Morris, who appeared in ‘New Girl,’ plays his namesake with nuance, which is not always the case with many actors from the original cast.
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Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase: Gotham’s actor takes up the mantle of SNL’s first star.
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Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner: The “Dickinson” actress Hunt resurrects the beloved Radner on screen.
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Kim Matula as Jane Curtin: The star of the show “LA to Vegas” plays the role of the show’s foil.
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Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman: Fairn, who is known for her role in the “Black Mirror,” plays the character of the founding member of Groundlings.
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Behind-the-Scenes Players
Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster: The “Bottoms” star portrays Michaels’ then-wife and a significant writer.
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Tommy Dewey as Michael O’Donoghue: Hollywood actor Dewey will play the role of SNL’s provocative head writer.
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Taylor Gray as Al Franken: The voice actor of the future senator in “Star Wars Rebels” is depicted in his early humorous roles.
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Mcabe Gregg as Tom Davis: Thus, it remains for Gregg to form the Franken and Davis writing pair.
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Joe Chrest as Herb Sargent: The actor popularized by the “Stranger Things” series portrays the seasoned writer who co-scripted “Weekend Update”.
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Music Meets Comedy
Jon Batiste as Billy Preston: The versatile entertainer also performs as SNL’s first musical performer and composes music for the film as well.
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Naomi McPherson as Janis Ian: This is the first instance of MUNA member acting as the singer-songwriter on the track.
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Surprise Additions and Cameos
Nicholas Braun as Andy Kaufman: To everyone’s surprise, it seems that the star of ‘Succession’ is now stepping into the shoes of the comedian more commonly associated with the program, even though he was rumored to be portraying Jim Henson.
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J. K. Simmons as Milton Berle: The Oscar-winning actor features in what could be a memorable cameo as the comedy legend.
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The Executive Suite
The film also delves into the corporate side of bringing SNL to life:
Finn Wolfhard as NBC Page: The young actor from “Stranger Things” gets no specific character credit, perhaps playing a future cast member from the bottom.
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Billy Bryk in an unknown role: The young man from Wolfhard’s “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” joins the cast in an unknown role.
Recreating an Era: Production and Design
Though specifics of the production design are yet to be revealed, capturing the essence of 1975 New York and the studio 8H will go a long way in the movie. I wonder how it is going to look like, from the style of the 70s to the raw feel of the setting that is New York mid-70s.
The task of emulating the live television production of that time may require great attention to details on the kinds of set, properties, and cameras used. This attention to authenticity will be crucial in order to fully engage the audience in the viewing experience of 1975 television.
Potential Storylines and Dramatic Tensions
Based on the casting and known history of SNL’s early days, we can speculate on some of the dramatic elements the film might explore:
The challenges that Lorne Michaels faced in putting together his dream team and persuading the NBC top brass of his vision.
How personalities and the comedic style of the cast members contrasted with each other.
How the inclusion of John Belushi was made at the last minute and how his behavior influenced the show.
The pressure of putting together a live ninety minute comedy show on the spot.
The changes that the iconic characters and sketches underwent during the show’s evolution.
Off-camera relationships and feuds which may have influenced the show’s dynamics.
Missing Pieces: Who Else Might Appear?
While the announced cast is impressive, there are still several key figures from SNL’s early days who have yet to be cast or revealed:
George Carlin: The first episode was hosted by the legendary comedian but no cast has been mentioned.
Anne Beatts, Marilyn Suzanne Miller, and Alan Zweibel: These influential writers had significant parts in molding the tone of the show.
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Bernie Brillstein: Michaels’ manager played a key role in ensuring that the show was a success.
Fred Silverman and Grant Tinker: These NBC executives played crucial roles in signing off on the show.
Albert Brooks: For the first season, the filmmaker provided short films.
George Coe: The oldest of the original ‘Not Ready for Prime-Time Players’ has yet to be cast.
Some of these roles may be cast on a whim later or they could be part of the core group that has already been announced.
Conclusion
As the curtain falls on our cast reveal, it’s clear that “Saturday Night” is shaping up to be comedy’s answer to “The Avengers” – minus the spandex, plus a lot more polyester. With a roster of talent that could fill a Lorne Michaels fever dream, this film promises to be wilder than John Belushi at a breakfast buffet.
Will it capture the magic that’s kept millions glued to their screens for nearly five decades? Or will it bomb harder than a rookie’s first sketch? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: if they nail the chaos of live TV, the on-set catering better include antacids.
As we eagerly await the October 2024 premiere, let’s hope “Saturday Night” does justice to the show that’s been America’s favorite excuse for staying up too late on weekends. Who knows? It might even inspire a whole new generation of comics to chase their dreams – and network executives to question their life choices.
FAQs
Q1: When will “Saturday Night” be released?
A: The film is scheduled for release on October 11, 2024, exactly 49 years after the premiere of Saturday Night Live.
Q2: Is this movie officially associated with NBC or Saturday Night Live?
A: While the film is about SNL’s creation, official association with NBC or the show hasn’t been explicitly stated in the available information.
Q3: Are any real-life musicians involved in the project?
A: Yes, Jon Batiste is playing Billy Preston and will also compose the film’s score. Additionally, MUNA’s Naomi McPherson is playing Janis Ian.
Q4: Will the movie cover the entire first season of SNL?
A: The film appears to focus primarily on the events leading up to and including the first broadcast of SNL.
Q5: Are there any surprise castings in the film?
A: Nicholas Braun, initially announced as playing Jim Henson, has been spotted on set dressed as Andy Kaufman, which has sparked some intrigue.
Q6: Will the movie feature recreations of famous SNL sketches?
A: While not confirmed, it’s likely the film will include the development and possibly performances of early iconic SNL sketches.
Amit Gupta is a 2015 graduate of RTU in Rajasthan, India. After working over a decade as an additional writer at News article, he decided to start his own news publication. He mainly focuses on entertainment, Movies, Web series articles and editorials. He likes to listen to music and play cricket in his free time. Follow On Facebook.
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