After receiving critical acclaim for Jason Reitman’s SNL origins movie, “Saturday Night,” Sony has decided to switch up the release pattern for the ensemble film. Instead of a wide release, the movie will now follow a platform roll-out strategy. It will debut exclusively on September 27 in select cities such as LA, NYC, and Toronto, before expanding to limited release on October 4, and finally releasing wide on October 11.
“Saturday Night” will make its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Tuesday, September 10. The film has already garnered an impressive 85% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many critics praising Reitman for his casting choices and overall direction of the film.
The movie features an ensemble cast, with actors such as Gabriel LaBelle portraying SNL producer Lorne Michaels, Dylan O’Brien as Dan Aykroyd, and Willem Dafoe as NBC executive David Tebet. Cory Michael Smith gives a “spot-on” performance as Chevy Chase, while Lamorne Morris embodies Garrett Morris and Matt Wood takes on the role of John Belushi. Succession’s Nicholas Braun shines in a dual role as Jim Henson and Andy Kaufman.
Pete Hammond, Deadline’s Awards Editor and Chief Film Critic, has praised Reitman for his direction, stating that he “nailed it” with the casting choices and overall execution of the film. Hammond describes “Saturday Night” as a “masterful movie comedy firing on all cylinders,” highlighting its elements of suspense thriller as well. He commends Reitman for creating one of the greatest movies about show business he has ever seen.
Previously known as Jason Reitman’s Untitled SNL 1975 project, the film has now been titled “Saturday Night” and is set to be released in theaters on October 11 by Columbia Pictures. This release date coincides with the legendary NBC comedy show’s first-ever broadcast in 1975, adding an extra layer of significance to the film.
Directed by Reitman and written by Gil Kenan & Reitman, “Saturday Night” is based on a true story that delves into the humor, chaos, and magic that unfolded behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of Saturday Night Live. The film promises to give audiences a glimpse into the inner workings of the iconic show and the challenges faced by its creators.
The movie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including names like Rachel Sennott, Finn Wolfhard, Jon Batiste, Ella Hunt, Cooper Hoffman, J.K. Simmons, and Kaia Gerber, among others. Produced by Jason Blumenfeld, Peter Rice, Reitman, and Kenan, “Saturday Night” has garnered attention for its stellar performances and attention to detail in capturing the essence of a groundbreaking moment in television history.