'Saturday Night': Watch the Trailer for the Upcoming 'SNL' Movie

The film, which tells the behind-the-scenes story of 'Saturday Night Live's first show ever, premieres Oct. 11.

Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!

The first trailer for Jason Reitman's Saturday Night Live film -- previously referred to as SNL 1975 -- debuted on Thursday, giving fans a look at the fictionalized account of SNL's first-ever episode.

The clip shows The Fabelmans' star Gabriel LaBelle as comedy mastermind Lorne Michaels, fighting for his life and his airtime amid creative chaos.

"It doesn't matter that we're ready, it matter that it's 11:30," he says, parroting one of Michaels' infamous real-life mantras. "That's when we go on."

Elsewhere, Cory Michael Smith embodies Chevy Chase, questioning whether or not the sketch series is truly "an ensemble," Matt Wood's John Belushi throws a violent tantrum, and Succession star Nicholas Braun channels Jim Henson, in a hilarious lament about how the writers strung up Big Bird in his dressing room.

Watch the full trailer below:

Based on interviews with surviving cast members and behind-the-scenes players, and written by Reitman and Gil Kenan, Saturday Night has cast a host of young talent to portray the seven iconic comedians -- plus the producers, writers and crew -- who went on to change television forever.

The official synopsis reads:

"On October 11th, 1975, a ferocious 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 wasn't, as we countdown the minutes in real time to the infamous words, Live From New York, it's Saturday Night."

NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Here's a look at the cast of Saturday Night:

Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels

The Fabelmans star will follow up his breakout role with another iconic part as the SNL head honcho, who created the iconic comedy series and has served as its executive producer since its 1975 premiere (with a brief, five-year break from 1980-85).

'The Fabelmans' star Gabriel LaBelle will play Lorne Michaels in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images

Cory Michael Smith as Chevy Chase

The May December standout will portray the volatile breakout star, who left SNL early in its second season to pursue his film career. During his brief time on SNL, Chase anchored "Weekend Update" and his deadpan delivery was instrumental in making the segment a lasting iconic bit.

Cory Michael Smith will play Chevy Chase in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images

Dylan O'Brien as Dan Aykroyd

The Teen Wolf star will play Aykroyd, who spearheaded the infamous "Blues Brothers" and "Coneheads" sketches on SNL, both of which went on to become feature films. Since his departure, Aykroyd has returned to SNL more than a dozen times, in hosting and guest appearances.

Dylan O'Brien will play Dan Aykroyd in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/NBC

Matt Wood as John Belushi

Wood, a comedian and theater actor, is set to take on the role of John Belushi, SNL's embattled star who debuted brash 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 dismissed from SNL -- and later brought back -- several times due to his lack of accountability. He died in 1982 from a drug overdose after being injected with a speedball at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Hollywood.

Matt Wood will play John Belushi in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images

Lamorne Morris as Garrett Morris

The New Girl star will play Garrett Morris (no relation), SNL's first Black cast member. A classically trained singer, Morris often showed off his skills to comedic effect on SNL, usually with subtitles incorrectly translating the foreign lyrics. Other memorable roles include baseball player Chico Escuela and a "Hard of Hearing" interpreter for "Weekend Update" -- who merely shouted the headlines at the camera.

Lamorne Morris will play Garrett Morris in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/NBC

Ella Hunt as Gilda Radner

The English actress and singer, best known for her role as Sue Gilbert on Dickinson, will play Radner, one of SNL's first iconic comediennes. Best known for bold, loud-mouthed 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.

Ella Hunt will play Gilda Radner in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/NBC

Kim Matula as Jane Curtin

The Bold and the Beautiful and Unreal star is set to play SNL's first resident straight woman. Curtin's SNL highlights include starring in the "Coneheads" sketches and co-anchoring "Weekend Update," often serving as a foil to Aykroyd, Radner and Bill Murray. She went on to win two Emmy Awards for her starring role in the '80s sitcom Kate & Allie.

Kim Matula will play Jane Curtin in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/NBC

Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman

Fairn, who recently appeared in the West End production of Brokeback Mountain, will play Newman, the final member of SNL's first female trio. While she tended not to repeat characters -- and thus had fewer iconic roles than some of her castmates -- some of Newman's most famous SNL moments include her roles as Connie Conehead, Valley girl Sherry, and ditzy TV host Christie Christina.

Emily Fairn will play Laraine Newman in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/NBC

Cooper Hoffman as Dick Ebersol

The 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 executive produced the show 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 became a sports broadcasting powerhouse, producing multiple Olympics, Super Bowls and more.

Cooper Hoffman will play Dick Ebersol in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images

Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster

The Bottoms star will play Shuster, who was an instrumental behind-the-scenes figure in the early years of SNL. The daughter of famous comedian Frank Shuster, she and Lorne Michaels met in middle school and were married from 1971-80. She helped him assemble the Not Ready for Primetime Players and was an 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" sketch and later helped Dana Carvey develop his "Church Lady" character.

Rachel Sennott will play Rosie Shuster in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images

 

 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 the film from Reitman to his Instagram Story. His character's name has not been revealed. 

Jason Reitman and Finn Wolfhard were photographed on the set of 'Saturday Night' in March 2024. - Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Nicholas Braun as Jim Henson

The Succession star will take on the role of the beloved puppeteer. The Muppets creator and his team appeared on the first season of Saturday Night Live.

Nicholas Braun will play Jim Henson in 'Saturday Night.' - Frazer Harrison/Getty Images/Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Archive Photos/Getty Images

Jon Batiste as Billy Preston

The Late Show bandleader and five-time GRAMMY winner will play Billy Preston, the R&B singer and iconic backing musician, who performed on SNL's very first episode, playing his Billboard No. 1 hit, "Nothing From Nothing," as well as his current single at the time, "Fancy Lady."

GRAMMY winner Jon Batiste will play R&B performer Billy Preston in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images

Naomi McPherson as Janis Ian

Muna guitarist and vocalist Naomi McPherson will play another iconic musician, singer-songwriter Janis Ian in Saturday Night. Ian was the second musical performer on SNL's premiere episode, taking the stage to singer her biggest hit, "At Seventeen," as well as "In the Winter."

Muna musician Naomi McPherson will player singer-songwriter in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images

Nicholas Podany as Billy Crystal

The Hello Tomorrow actor will portray comedian Billy Crystal, who was scheduled to be in the first episode of SNL but his sketch got cut.

Nicholas Podany will play Billy Crystal in 'Saturday Night.' - Joy Malone/Getty Images/Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for SiriusxM

Tommy Dewey as Michael O'Donoghue

The Casual star will take on the role of Michael O'Donoghue, the first head writer of Saturday Night Live and the first performer to deliver a line on the series.

In the show's inaugural sketch, O'Donoghue played an English-language teacher who instructs John Belushi to repeat phrases such as, "I would like to feed your fingertips to the wolverines," and, "We are out of badgers. Would you accept a wolverine in its place?" He then drops dead of a heart attack.

Tommy Dewey will play Michael O'Donoghue in 'Saturday Night.' - Jenny Anderson/WireImage/Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Willem Dafoe as David Tebet

According to Deadline, Dafoe will play David Tebet, a former talent executive at NBC.

Willem Dafoe will play David Tebet in 'Saturday Night.' - Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic / Frank Diernhammer/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images

J.K. Simmons as Milton Berle

The 69-year-old Whiplash star and Academy Award winner stars as Milton Berle, the actor and comedian known for his starring roles in shows like Uncle Miltie and Mr. Television.

J.K. Simmons to play comedian Milton Berle in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/Getty Images

 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 got his start as a writer and performer on Saturday Night Live

Taylor Gray to star as Al Franken in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/Getty Images

Joe Chrest as Herb Sargent

Chrest -- who most recently appeared in Zelda Williams' directorial debut Lisa Frankenstein -- will play Herb Sargent, credited with the creation of "Weekend Update." 

Joe Chrest to play Weekend Update creator Herb Sargent in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/Getty Images

Mcabe Gregg as Tom Davis

The actor, best known for his role in projects like Shameless and Teenage Badass, will portray Tom Davis -- one-half of the comedy duo Franken & Davis, who performed on SNL, as well as wrote for the series. 

Mcabe Gray will play Tom Davis in 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images/Getty Images

Andrew Barth Feldman as Neil Levy

The No Hard Feelings actor is set to play Neil Levy, a writer and talent coordinator for the original Saturday Night Live, according to his IMDB page

Andrew Barth Feldman will play Neil Levy in 'Saturday Night.' - Bruce Glikas/Getty Images/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

Kaia Gerber as Jacqueline Carlin

The 22-year-old daughter of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber will portray the ex-wife of Chevy Chase, played by Cory Michael Smith. While Carlin and Chase did not marry until 1976, they began dating in 1975 -- the year the movie is set. 

Kaia Gerber will play Jacqueline Carlin in 'Saturday Night.' - Steve Granitz/FilmMagic/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

 Billy Bryk in an Undisclosed Role 

Bryk, who previously worked with Reitman on 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife, has joined the cast in a role with limited details. 

Billy Bryk has joined the cast of 'Saturday Night.' - Getty Images

Saturday Night is in theaters Oct. 11. 

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