As a seasoned gamer of both the big and small screen, I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement upon learning about the upcoming biopic, Saturday Night. Having grown up idolizing the pioneering spirit of Saturday Night Live (SNL), it’s truly remarkable to see an actor like Lamorne Morris getting the opportunity to portray one of its founding members, Garrett Morris.
Few actors can claim they’ve been given the chance to play a real person in a biopic and even fewer have had the privilege of meeting the icon they are depicting. However, Lamorne Morris was among the fortunate ones when, upon being cast as Garrett Morris in the upcoming 2024 film “Saturday Night”, he shared his experience of learning directly from the legendary former SNL star.
Sony’s upcoming film is directed by Jason Reitman, who also collaborated on the script with Gil Kenan, director of “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” The movie titled “Saturday Night” will be in theaters on October 11, providing a live account of the chaotic events happening at Studio 8H prior to the airing of its namesake variety show. Though it would later be recognized as one of the greatest sketch comedy series ever made, at that time, the show’s success was uncertain.
One individual who observed the chaotic events unfold from up close was Garrett Morris, a founding member of the Not Ready for Primetime Players, who left an indelible mark on SNL during his five-season tenure. The events that transpired on the set during that iconic first night are being reimagined by actor Lamorne Morris, who is renowned for his uproarious character Winston Bishop on New Girl. It’s worth noting that Garrett Morris and Lamorne Morris are not related, despite Garrett playfully suggesting in the past that he might be the father of the latter.
In a conversation I recently had, Lamorne shared that he’s hosting an event titled “Jobstacle Course” for Mike’s Hard Lemonade in New York on August 20. This event aims to highlight the struggles of today’s overworked working-class people. During our chat, I asked him about his preparations, and here’s what he shared regarding a conversation with Garrett:
He gave me a lot of insight to what he was thinking… When you read a script, you know what’s on the page, but you’re not 100 percent sure of what the real person was actually feeling. And, surprisingly enough, a lot of his thoughts and feelings lined up with what Jason and Gil had written, which was fun because, you’re studying this script, you’re breaking it down and then, finally you get a chance to meet them and talk. When you see that it worked and that it works out and it’s aligned with everything you’ve been rehearsing, it makes a lot of sense and it’s a blessing to have that. You know what I mean? Because, also, I’m portraying this man and I wanna serve the character properly and do him justice.
It seems difficult to find a more effective method than learning Garrett Morris’ perspective on the material firsthand for an authentic representation of him. I’m happy that the process appears enjoyable and engaging for both parties, allowing the new actor to capture the essence of the original Saturday Night Live cast member.
In terms of guidance, Lamorne shared that the SNL actor also had a crucial piece of advice for him.
His only note to me was, ‘Let them know that I didn’t quit. I didn’t quit, man. I kept going throughout all the adversity. We were just trying to make this show happen and we pushed through.’ That was great to hear because, when you watch the movie, you see it. It’s crazy. It’s, you know, a group of young folks trying to make this thing happen, not knowing that 50 years later, it’s gonna be considered the all-time best. So, it was definitely an honor to play him, for sure.
In his role as the first Black cast member on “SNL” (and being the only Black cast member during that period), Garrett, who was 38 years old at the time, grappled with feelings of apprehension and seclusion among his younger peers, a topic Lamorne Morris discussed in a recent Vanity Fair article about “Saturday Night.” This fresh perspective, coupled with the chaotic behind-the-scenes events leading to the creation of this influential comedy institution, promises an intriguing viewing experience for both longtime show fans and those new to it.
Joining the actor in the Saturday Night cast are Gabrielle LaBelle playing Lorne Michaels, Dylan O’Brien taking on Dan Aykroyd, Ella Hunt portraying Gilda Radner, Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman, Kim Matula representing Jane Curtin, Cory Michael Smith for Chevy Chase, and Matt Wood assuming the role of John Belushi. Interestingly, Succession’s Nicholas Braun will play dual roles – comedian Andy Kaufman and Muppets creator Jim Henson.
Young Morris was recently nominated for his first Emmy award due to his role in Fargo Season 5 as State Trooper Witt Farr. He will soon be working alongside Nicolas Cage on the upcoming Spider-Man spin-off TV series, Spider-Noir, playing a character from the 1930s named Robbie Robertson. It seems like Saturday Night is just another level of excitement added to his already busy schedule.
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2024-08-16 01:37