Netflix Picks Up ‘Staten Island Summer’ Comedy Packed With ‘Saturday Night Live’ Talent
For those who don’t know, I’m a massive fan ofSaturday Night Live. The show has been a favorite since I was a kid. Even though it was the early 90s when I became sucked in byWayne’s Worldand Chris Farley, I’ve stuck with the show ever since, through all their ups and downs, and have soaked up everything I can about its history. I’ve read countless books and articles, watched countless old sketches form before my time, and just can’t get enough ofSNL.
Therefore, I’m very pleased to report (viaThe Wrap) thatNetflixis closing a deal with Paramount Insurge to pick up a new comedy calledStaten Island Summer. What does this have to do withSNL? Hit the jump and find out!
Staten Island Summeris a new comedy flick directed bySNLproducer and directorRhys Thomas, with a script from the sketch show’s Weekend Update co-anchor and head writerColin Jost. In addition, the film is produced bySNLcreatorLorne Michaels. But that’s not all.
Current cast membersBobby MoynihanandCecily Strong(seen above on set) will be featured in the film in addition to former cast membersWill ForteandFred Armisen. However, the film will actually be led byGraham Phillips(The Good Wife) andZack Pearlman(Mulaney) as two best friends and recent high school graduates who decide to work as lifeguards during the summer while they figure out their future. The story is inspired by Jost’s own personal experiences.
In addition,TwilightstarAshley GreeneandJohn DeLuca(Teen Beach Movie) also co-star in the film with appearances byJim Gaffigan, Method Man, Kate WalshandGina Gershon. Yeah, the cast is all over the place.
Sounds like your typical coming-of-age tale, but with all this comedy talent on board, it sounds like something to get excited about. And the good news is that you won’t have to wait long to see it, because Netflix will be releasing it exclusively on their streaming service onJuly 30th. Hopefully that means we’ll get a trailer for the movie sometime soon.
This is just one more great move by Netflix to build their comedy feature slate. Right nowPee-wee’s Big Holidayis in productionand we justgot a first look at the castof Ricky Gervais' comedySpecial Correspondents. There’salso that deal with Adam Sandler, though The Ridiculous 6 productionhas been in some hot water lately.
Netflix also has fantastic original series likeThe Unbreakable Kimmy SchmidtandArrested Development(withmore coming in 2016), and there’s the seriesWet Hot American Summer: First Day of Campcoming this summer as well. And they also have a great assembly of stand-up comedy specials, but we’ll be highlighting some of those at a different time.
Are you interested inStaten Island Summer? How do you feel about Netflix’s comedy slate?
