Oscar-nominated actor Willem Dafoe is set to join the ensemble cast of Jason Reitman’s directorial film ‘SNL 1975’ (working title), which is based on the origin story of the popular late-night show ‘Saturday Night Live’, reported Deadline.
Reitman and Gil Kenan penned the script. Dafoe will play David Tebet, who was VP Talent Relations at NBC when SNL launched.
On October 11, 1975, a furious group of young comedians and writers transformed television forever. SNL 1975 is the actual account of what transpired behind the scenes that night, leading up to the debut episode of NBC’s Saturday Night Live. It captures the turmoil and romance of a nearly-failed revolution, ticking down the minutes in real time until the famed words, “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
The screenplay is based on lengthy interviews done by Reitman and Kenan with all of the current cast members, writers, and crew. Reitman, Kenan, Jason Blumenfeld, Erica Mills, and Peter Rice are the producers.
Dafoe has more than 150 film credits spanning nearly 45 years and has four career Oscar noms — Best Actor for Eternity’s Gate (2018) and Supporting Actor for The Florida Project (2017), Shadow of the Vampire (2000) and Platoon (1986).