Renowned musician Jon Batiste is taking on a dual role in the upcoming film by Jason Reitman, which will delve into the opening night of the iconic sketch series Saturday Night Live on NBC. Batiste has been tapped to compose the score for the Sony Pictures production titled SNL 1975, while also portraying keyboardist and singer Billy Preston, the show's first musical guest back in 1975.
The movie, directed by Reitman, will focus on the behind-the-scenes events leading up to SNL's inaugural broadcast, with a cast that includes Gabriel LaBelle as Lorne Michaels, Cooper Hoffman as Dick Ebersol, and Rachel Sennott as Rosie Shuster.
Reitman and Gil Kenan penned the screenplay based on interviews with original cast members, writers, and crew from the show's early days. The film is produced by Reitman, Kenan, Jason Blumenfeld, and Peter Rice, with Erica Mills and JoAnn Perritano serving as executive producers.
Jon Batiste, a five-time Grammy winner and an Oscar recipient for his work on Pixar's Soul, has also been nominated for his songwriting in the documentary American Symphony. His latest album, World Music Radio, was released in August, showcasing his musical prowess.
Billy Preston, a legendary musician who passed away in 2006, was a two-time Grammy winner known for hits like That's the Way God Planned It and Will It Go Round in Circles. He collaborated with iconic artists such as The Beatles and Eric Clapton and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
The star-studded cast of SNL 1975 includes Dylan O’Brien, Lamorne Morris, Cory Michael Smith, Matt Wood, Ella Hunt, Emily Fairn, and Kim Matula portraying the show's original cast members. Other notable actors in the film include Nicholas Braun, Kaia Gerber, J.K. Simmons, and Finn Wolfhard.
Jon Batiste, who is represented by CAA, Eisner LLP, and LoveRiotMagic, brings his musical talents and on-screen presence to this highly anticipated project that pays homage to the early days of Saturday Night Live.
