National Lampoon Biopic Cast: Who’s Playing Bill Murray, John Belushi And Harold Ramis?
Just last month we found outNetflix was developing a filmaboutDoug Kenney, the co-founder ofNational Lampoon, the humor magazine that eventually evolved into creating comedy records and movies in the 1970s and 1980s. The film is calledA Futile & Stupid Gestureand shines a light on the history of National Lampoon through the eyes of Kenney, who will be played bySaturday Night Liveveteran andLast Man on EarthstarWill Forte.
Earlier this week the cast filled out with the addition ofJoel McHaletaking on the roleof hisCommunityco-starChevy Chase, before he made it big onSaturday Night Live, andStar Wars: The Force AwakensstarDomhnall Gleesonplaying another National Lampoon co-founder,Henry Beard.
Now the cast has gotten even bigger with additional actors being brought on to play National Lampoon comedians and future comedy superstarsBill Murray, Harold RamisandJohn Belushi, as well as a couple other key roles. Get the details on the National Lampoon movie cast after the jump.
A Futile & Stupid Gesturewill be directed byThey Came TogetherandWet Hot American SummerfilmmakerDavid Wain, and he’s rounding up a bunch of bona fide comedians to help bring the script fromMichael ColtonandJohn Aboudto life. Though the movie will be chock full of comedy stars, the tale of Doug Kenney is ultimately a tragic one.
Kenney was the editor of the Harvard Lampoon before creating the popular humor magazine National Lampoon, and eventually a legacy that would change the comedy scene forever. In addition, Kenney also co-wrote the movies Caddyshack and Animal House, both of which starred National Lampoon veterans Chevy Chase and John Belushi respectively. Sadly, like many comedians Kenney had problems with drug and alcohol abuse and met his demise falling off a cliff in Hawaii under mysterious circumstances.
So who is going to fill out the case to tell Kenney’s story?
First up,The WrapreportsJohn Gemberlingis playingJohn Belushi, the comedian who died in his prime after finding super stardom from roles inNational Lampoon’s Animal House,Saturday Night LiveandThe Blues Brothers. Gemberling recurs as Abbi Jacobson’s roomate’s boyfriend Matt Bevers onBroad City.
This will be Gemberling’s biggest film role to date, and playing an iconic comedian like Belushi is quite a tall order. More than likely the role won’t be huge, but it’s still a pivotal one as Belushi was a big part of National Lampoon, touring with their theatrical off-Broadway productionLemmings, as seen in the header image.
Next,DeadlinereportsRick Glassman(left) andJon Dalywill be playing longtime friends and collaboratorsHarold RamisandBill Murrayrespectively. Glassman stars on the NBC seriesUndateablewhile Daly recurred onKroll Showin various roles.
Ramis and Murray got their start at the National Lampoon by starring in some of their theater productions, as well as writing for them. As we know, Ramis would go on to writeNational Lampoon’s Animal House, as well asCaddyshack, which was one of Murray’s most famous early roles. The two would eventually createGhostbusterstogether as well.
In addition,Deadlineadds thatSeth Green(star ofFamily Guyand creator ofRobot Chicken) has landed the role ofChristopher Guest. Like Ramis, Belushi and Murray, Guest is a comic genius who got his start in National Lampoon’s theatrical productions. However, you probably know Guest today for writingThis Is Spinal Tapand directing other mockumentary comedies likeBest in ShowandA Mighty Wind, all movies in which he also starred.
Diving into the earlier core members of the National Lampoon team,THRreportsThe Odd Coupleseries andReno 911!starThomas Lennonhas joined the film asMichael O’Donoghue. One of the first writers at the magazine, O’Donoghue went on to become an editor of the magazine, but eventually left to become the first head writer on a little show calledSaturday Night Live. He was never afraid to push the boundaries of comedy or speak what was on his mind, which got hi in trouble from time to time.
Finally,DeadlinereportsMatt Walshwill be taking the role ofMatty Simmons, CEO of National Lampoon publishers Twenty First Century Communications. After coming from the world of newspapers and credits cards, Simmons was the one who pushed National Lampoon to venture into radio, theater and film. Without Simmons we might never have gottenAnimal House.
Along with all this comedy talent, the film will be produced byPeter PrincipatoandJonathan SternwithEd Helms, Sean McKittrickandTed Hammexecutive producing along with Wain, Aboud and Colton also having a producing credit as well. Production is supposed to begin this month with an eye towards releasing the film on Netflix in 2017.
A Futile and Stupid Gestureis based on a book by Josh Karp, but if you want to know more about National Lampoon, you should seek out the documentaryDrunk Stoned Brilliant Dead, available on Showtime and other VOD outlets.
