SNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show’s Premiere

SNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's Premiere

As a gamer who grew up in the ’70s and ’80s, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgic excitement about the upcoming film “Saturday Night.” Having spent countless hours glued to my TV screen, watching the antics of the legendary SNL cast, it’s like stepping back into my childhood.


Next year marks the golden jubilee of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL), and a host of celebrated personalities are expected to attend this Fall and beyond, commemorating the show’s milestone. It’s understandable to harbor skepticism given SNL’s less-than-stellar performance over the past decade, but it’s equally simple to overlook its once monumental impact. A forthcoming film from director Jason Reitman (“Juno,” “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”) promises to rekindle our appreciation for SNL, and remarkably, it will debut on the very same date as the show’s inaugural episode – October 11, 1975. Here’s a glimpse of the movie’s plotline:

11:30 PM on October 11th, 1975 marked a groundbreaking moment in television history. The movie, titled “Saturday Night“, is inspired by real events unfolding backstage during the 90 minutes leading to the inaugural broadcast of Saturday Night Live. Directed by Jason Reitman and co-written with Gil Kenan, it offers a mix of comedy, disorder, and the enchanting allure of an almost aborted revolution. As we journey in real time, we eagerly approach the iconic phrase: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”

SNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's Premiere

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “In this cast of characters for the Saturday Night game, I step into the shoes of Lorne Michaels, with Dylan O’Brien taking on Dan Akroyd, Cory Michael Smith becoming Chevy Chase, Rachel Sennott playing Rosie Shuster, and Lamorne Morris embodying Garrett Morris. Nicholas Braun is Jim Henson, Finn Wolfhard is an NBC Page, Jon Batiste transforms into Billy Preston, Ella Hunt takes on Gilda Radnor, Cooper Hoffman plays Dick Ebersol, Andrew Barth Feldman becomes Neil Levy, Naomi McPherson portrays Janis Ian, Willem Defoe assumes the role of David Tebet, J.K. Simmons embodies Milton Berle, and Kaia Gerber brings Jacqueline Carlin to life.”

Jason Reitman Grew Up Connected to Saturday Night Live

SNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's PremiereSNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's PremiereSNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's PremiereSNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's PremiereSNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's PremiereSNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's PremiereSNL Biopic Saturday Night to Be Released Same Day as the Show's Premiere

From the plot summary, it appears that Saturday Night might be a movie reminiscent of Birdman, delving into the backstage turmoil of an unusual production. While it’s uncertain whether the film will be shot in a single take or not, there are certainly numerous characters and subplots to explore during the 90-minute period leading up to the television show itself.

Jason Reitman, given his upbringing surrounded by several renowned Saturday Night Live stars from the ’70s and ’80s, is fittingly chosen to direct and co-write the film. His mischievous antics on the set of the original Ghostbusters (which boasted numerous SNL stars, thanks to his father Ivan Reitman) are well-known. Ivan, a celebrated producer and director, was responsible for many projects featuring the cast of Saturday Night Live, such as Stripes, Animal House, and Ghostbusters.

As a film enthusiast with a keen interest in the creative process behind blockbuster movies, I am thrilled to see that the upcoming production of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is led by a team of talented individuals who have left their mark on the industry. The fact that Jason Blumenfeld, Peter Rice, and Gil Kenan are involved is particularly exciting for me, considering my deep appreciation for the original Ghostbusters films and Kenan’s previous work on “City of Ember” with Bill Murray.

Saturday Night
hits theaters Oct. 11, 2024 from Columbia Pictures.

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2024-07-31 04:03