Netflix’s original movie about the origins of National Lampoon, A Futile and Stupid Gesture, sounded like a great idea when first announced. Now that details about the casting of the project are trickling out, it’s becoming more and more like a can’t miss.
On the heels of news that Will Forte will play National Lampoon co-founder Doug Kenney comes word that a handful of the most famous, well-known alums have also been cast and the names are indeed impressive. First and foremost, Joel McHale, late of Talk Soup and Community, will embody his former co-star, Chevy Chase. Think he has any inside knowledge as to what makes Chase tick?
Chase’s fellow Lampoon and SNL cohorts include none other than John Belushi, Bill Murray and Harold Ramis. The late Belushi will be embodied by Josh Gemberling, who plays the hilarious/disgusting Bevers on Broad City. As for Murray and Ramis, the pals who co-starred in Stripes and Ghostbusters and also collaborated on classics like Caddyshack and Groundhog Day, they will be played by Rick Glassman (Undateable) and Jon Daly (Kroll Show).
Other notable alums of National Lampoon include Christopher Guest, director of laughfests like A Mighty Wind, Waiting For Guffman and Best In Show. Guest will be played by Scott Evil himself, Seth Green. Then there’s Michael O’Donoghue, who graduated from National Lampoon to head writer at SNL. He’ll be played by Thomas Lennon of Reno 911! and the latest incarnation of The Odd Couple. And Matty Simmons, the CEO of the operation who went on to produce Animal House, Vacation and many more titles, will be played by Matt Walsh (Veep, Old School).
A Futile and Stupid Gesture, which will be directed by David Wain, best known for Wet Hot American Summer, Role Models and The State, can’t hit Netflix soon enough.
