By Jason Reitman Saturday Night Live film — formerly known as SNL 1975 — now has an official title and release date.
The upcoming film, which tells the story of the night it premiered on NBC, is officially titled Saturday night, and will be released on October 11, 2024 — 49 years after the date SNL premiered on NBC.
Based on interviews with surviving cast members and behind-the-scenes actors, and written by Reitman and Gil Kenan, Saturday night enlisted a slew of young talent to portray the seven iconic comedians — plus the producers, writers and crew — who changed television forever.
The official synopsis reads:
“On October 11, 1975, a fierce troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. This is the true story of what happened that night behind the scenes in the moments leading up to the first broadcast of SNL. The chaos and magic of a revolution that almost didn’t happen, as we count down the minutes in real time to the infamous words, Live from New York, it’s Saturday night.”
Here’s a look at the cast of Saturday night:
Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels
The Fabelmans the star will continue his breakout role with another iconic role as SNL big boss, who created the iconic comedy series and served as its executive producer since its debut in 1975 (with a brief five-year hiatus from 1980 to 1985).
Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase
O May December spotlight will portray the volatile emerging star, who left SNL at the beginning of his second season to pursue his film career. During his brief stint in SNLChase anchored “Weekend Update” and his deadpan delivery was instrumental in making the segment an enduring icon.
Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd
O Teen Wolf star will play Aykroyd, who led the infamous “Blues Brothers” and “Coneheads” sketches in SNLboth of which were made into feature films. Since his departure, Aykroyd has returned to SNL more than a dozen times, as a presenter and special guest.
Matt Wood as John Belushi
Wood, a comedian and stage actor, is set to take on the role of John Belushi, SNLembattled star who debuted raunchy characters as well as the iconic “Blues Brothers” sketch during his time on the show. Belushi struggled with drug use throughout his career and was fired from SNL — and later brought back — several times due to his lack of responsibility. He died in 1982 of a drug overdose after being injected with a speedball at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood.
Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris
O New girl star will play Garrett Morris (no relation), SNLfirst black cast member. A classically trained singer, Morris often displayed his skills to comedic effect in SNLoften with subtitles mistranslating the foreign lyrics. Other memorable roles include baseball player Chico Escuela and a “Hard of Hearing” interpreter for “Weekend Update” — who would just shout the headlines at the camera.
Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner
The English actress and singer, best known for her role as Sue Gilbert in Dickinsonwill play Radner, one of the SNL‘s first iconic female comedians. Best known for edgy, loudmouthed characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna and Emily Litella. Radner won an Emmy for her SNL performance in 1978. She died in 1989 after a private battle with ovarian cancer.
Kim Matula as Jane Curtin
O Bold and Beautiful It is Unreal star is ready to play SNLCurtin’s first heterosexual female resident. SNL Highlights include starring in the “Coneheads” sketches and co-anchoring “Weekend Update,” often serving as a foil for Aykroyd, Radner, and Bill Murray. She won two Emmy Awards for her lead role on the 1980s sitcom Kate and Allie.
Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman
Fairn, who recently appeared in the West End production of Brokeback Mountainwill play Newman, the last member of SNLNewman’s first female trio. Although she tended not to reprise characters—and thus had fewer iconic roles than some of her co-stars—some of the most famous SNL moments include her roles as Connie Conehead, Sherry Valley girl and TV presenter Christie Christina.
Cooper Hoffman as Dick Ebersol
O Licorice Pizza star (and son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman) will play the young NBC executive who helped Michaels develop SNL into the late-night phenomenon it eventually became. He also served as the show’s executive producer during Michaels’ brief departure in the early ’80s. Ebersol would go on to become president of NBC Sports in 1989, shepherding the network as it grew into a sports broadcasting powerhouse, producing multiple Olympics, Super Bowls and more.
Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster
O Lower parts the star will play Shuster, who was a pivotal figure behind the scenes in the early years of SNL. Daughter of famous comedian Frank Shuster, she and Lorne Michaels met in high school and were married from 1971 to 1980. She helped him set up Not Ready for Primetime Players and was a SNL writer during the 70s and 80s. She teamed up with Radner to help her develop some of her most iconic characters, wrote the “Killer Bees” outline, and later helped Dana Carvey develop his “Church Lady” character.
Finn Wolfhard as an NBC Page
Wolfhard, 21, previously worked with the film’s director on Ghostbusters: Afterlife in 2021 and sparked casting rumors on Monday when he shared an Instagram post about Reitman’s film on his Instagram Story. His character’s name was not revealed.
Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson
O Succession star will take on the role of the beloved puppeteer. The Muppets creator and his team appeared in the first season of Saturday Night Live.
Jon Batiste as Billy Preston
O Late show The band’s frontman and five-time GRAMMY winner will play Billy Preston, the R&B singer and iconic backing musician who performed in SNLin the first episode, performing their Billboard #1 hit “Nothing From Nothing” as well as their current single at the time, “Fancy Lady”.
Naomi McPherson as Janis Ian
Muna guitarist and vocalist Naomi McPherson will portray another iconic musician, singer-songwriter Janis Ian in Saturday night. Ian was the second musical artist in SNLpremiere episode, taking the stage to sing her biggest hit, “At Seventeen”, as well as “In the Winter”.
Nicholas Podany as Billy Crystal
O Hello, tomorrow actor will play comedian Billy Crystal, who was scheduled to be in the first episode of SNL but his sketch was cut.
Tommy Dewey as Michael O’Donoghue
O Casual star will take over the role from Michael O’Donoghue, the first head writer of Saturday Night Live and the first artist to deliver a speaking role in the series.
In the series’ inaugural sketch, O’Donoghue played an English teacher who instructs John Belushi to repeat phrases such as “I’d like to feed the wolverines with your fingertips” and “We’re out of badgers. Would you accept a wolverine in its place?” He then drops dead of a heart attack.
Willem Dafoe as David Tebet
According to DeadlineDafoe will play David Tebet, a former NBC talent executive.
J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle
The 69 year old man Whip star and Oscar winner stars as Milton Berle, the actor and comedian known for his leading roles in shows like Uncle Miltie It is Mr. Television.
Taylor Gray as Al Franken
Gray — who lent his voice to Star Wars: Rebels for 74 episodes as Ezra Bridge, according to his IMDB Page — will play the comedian turned senator who started out as a writer and artist in Saturday Night Live.
Joe Chrest as Herb Sargent
Chrest — who most recently appeared in Zelda Williams’ directorial debut Lisa Frankenstein — will play Herb Sargent, credited with creating “Weekend Update.”
Mcabe Gregg as Tom Davis
The actor, best known for his role in projects such as Shameless It is Fucking Teen, will play Tom Davis — one half of the comedy duo Franken & Davis, who performed in SNL, just as he wrote for the series.
Andrew Barth Feldman as Neil Levy
O No hard feelings actor is set to play Neil Levy, a writer and talent coordinator on the original Saturday Night Liveaccording to your IMDB Page.
Kaia Gerber as Jacqueline Carlin
The 22-year-old daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber will play the ex-wife of Chevy Chase, played by Cory Michael Smith. Although Carlin and Chase didn’t marry until 1976, they began dating in 1975 — the year the film is set.
Billy Bryk in an undisclosed role
Bryk, who previously worked with Reitman in 2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife, joined the cast in a role with limited details.
Saturday night opens in theaters on October 11.
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