The highly anticipated trailer for Jason Reitman’s upcoming film “Saturday Night” has been released, offering a gripping glimpse into the chaos and creativity behind the launch of the iconic NBC sketch show, Saturday Night Live. Sony Pictures has set the film’s theatrical release date for October 11, 2024, the same date the show’s first episode aired back in 1975.
A Look Behind the Scenes of an Iconic Show
The trailer dives deep into the frenzied moments leading up to SNL’s debut broadcast. Gabriel LaBelle stars as the legendary Lorne Michaels, the visionary behind SNL, who is depicted in a tense exchange with NBC executive Dick Ebersol, portrayed by Cooper Hoffman. The trailer captures the skepticism and pressure faced by Michaels, with Ebersol questioning the feasibility of a live 90-minute show led by a group of young, inexperienced comedians.
Ebersol’s line, “Lorne, 90 minutes of live television by a group of 20-year-olds who have never made anything? Do you ever stop and wonder why they said yes to a counterculture show starring total unknowns, with zero narrative and even less structure? They want you to fail,” highlights the immense challenge the team faced. Michaels’ determined response, “We just have to make it to air,” encapsulates the pioneering spirit that would come to define the show.
Stellar Cast Brings SNL’s Early Days to Life
“Saturday Night” boasts a stellar ensemble cast portraying the original SNL players:
- Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd
- Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris
- Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase
- Matt Wood as John Belushi
- Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner
- Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman
- Kim Matula as Jane Curtin
Other notable cast members include:
- Willem Dafoe as David Tebet
- Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson
- Matthew Rhys as George Carlin
- Kaia Gerber as Jacqueline Carlin
- J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle
- Jon Batiste as Billy Preston
- Andrew Barth Feldman as Neil Levy
- Naomi McPherson as Janis Ian
- Finn Wolfhard as an NBC page
Crafting the Story
Reitman and Gil Kenan penned the screenplay, drawing from interviews with living cast members, writers, and crew from the show’s early days. The film, previously known under the working title “SNL 1975,” is produced by Reitman, Kenan, Jason Blumenfeld, and Peter Rice, with Erica Mills and JoAnn Perritano as executive producers.
Filming in Georgia
“Saturday Night” was filmed at Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, Georgia, under the code name “Wolverines.” The production received rave reviews from background actors who praised the on-set catering as the best they had ever experienced. This adds another layer of local flavor to a movie about a show that has resonated across the nation for nearly five decades.
Release Date and Anticipation
As “Saturday Night” gears up for its October 11 release, fans of SNL and cinema alike are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to witness the behind-the-scenes story of the show’s tumultuous yet triumphant beginnings. With an impressive cast and a compelling narrative, this film promises to be a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of television and the enduring legacy of Saturday Night Live.
It Looks Pretty Good
“Saturday Night” isn’t just a film about a TV show; it’s a tribute to the daring and determination that birthed an institution. Mark your calendars for October 11, 2024, and get ready to experience the origins of Saturday Night Live like never before.
