Director Jason Reitman, who benefits from having Ivan Reitman as his father and a film industry connection to Saturday Night Live veterans, is determined to capture the accuracy of SNL’s debut in his new film, Saturday Night.
The movie portrays the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast in 1975. In an interview with Vanity Fair, which includes exclusive photos from the film, Reitman detailed his extensive research efforts, conducted with co-writer Gil Kenan, to ensure historical precision.
“We spoke with every available person from the original opening night,” Reitman said. “We reached out to all surviving cast members, writers, and those involved in art, costumes, hair, and makeup, as well as NBC pages and even members of Billy Preston’s band.”
The cast shared lesser-known stories about the show, such as Laraine Newman’s recollection of George Carlin (portrayed by Matthew Rhys in the film) disapproving of a sketch about Alexander the Great’s high school reunion, a detail that made it into the script.
Reitman cast Gabriel LaBelle, known for The Fabelmans, as SNL creator Lorne Michaels. While Reitman consulted Michaels for authenticity, he advised LaBelle against meeting him before filming. LaBelle instead drew on Bill Murray’s remark about Michaels, highlighting his growth over time. “Murray’s comment showed that Michaels didn’t have everything figured out initially,” LaBelle explained.
On set, LaBelle felt confident without further input from Michaels. However, Lamorne Morris, who portrayed Garrett Morris, found personal value in connecting with the real Garrett Morris, whom he had humorously claimed as a father figure during childhood. “Garrett and I became friends, and he’s aware of the joke,” Morris shared.
Morris was intrigued by Garrett Morris’s experience on SNL, noting that his character grappled with the contrast between his extensive background in civil rights and theater versus the show’s humor. “He initially questioned his place, but eventually recognized he could leverage his diverse skills on SNL,” Morris said.
Garrett Morris requested an honest portrayal of his experience: “Make sure to show that I never quit or gave up,” Morris told Morris, emphasizing his dedication despite challenges.