Sony Pictures is adding five more actors to fill out the cast for the upcoming biographical drama “SNL 1975.” Currently in production in New York City and helmed by director Jason Reitman, the film is a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of the iconic television sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live. The newly-announced cast members are Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons, Billy Bryk, Joe Chrest, Taylor Gray, and Mcabe Gregg.
SNL 1975 Cast Additions
J.K. Simmons, a recognized figure in Hollywood who earned an Oscar for his role in “Whiplash,” will take on the role of famed comedian, Milton Berle. Also joining the roster are actors Billy Bryk of “Hell of a Summer,” Joe Chrest from Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” Taylor Gray of “Star Wars: Rebels,” and Mcabe Gregg of “Teenage Badass.” Chrest, Gray, and Gregg have been tapped to portray the trio behind the Weekend Update sketch—Herb Sargent, Al Franken, and Tom Davis, respectively.
The Team Behind SNL 1975
Jason Reitman is directing “SNL 1975” from a script he co-wrote with Gil Kenan, who directed “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.” Reitman and Kenan are also producing the project alongside Jason Blumenfeld, Erica Mills, and Peter Rice.
The ensemble cast also includes Gabriel LaBelle playing the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels, Rachel Sennott as his writing partner Rosie Shuster, and Nicholas Braun as puppeteer Jim Henson. Other notable actors rounding off the cast are Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris, and Finn Wolfhard.
About Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live first aired on October 11, 1975, and rapidly evolved into an influential platform for comedy and satire, helping to launch the careers of many of its original cast members. The show is remembered for its innovative sketches and strong comic performances from personalities like Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, and Gilda Radner. As part of their research for “SNL 1975,” Reitman and Kenan have been conducting interviews with any remaining original cast, crew, and writers.
Wrapping Up
The addition of these new actors into the diverse cast of “SNL 1975” strengthens the film’s potential to provide a realistic and in-depth look at the formation and early years of Saturday Night Live. Follow updates about this upcoming movie and discover other current productions at HitPlay.
