Saturday Night Live’s writer and director Jason Reitman offers an exclusive glimpse behind the scenes, showcasing the immense effort that went into recreating SNL’s groundbreaking opening night.

As NBC’s Saturday Night Live gears up to celebrate its monumental 50th season starting next month, fans are in for some major celebratory events. In February 2025, SNL enthusiasts can anticipate a weekend-long homage, culminating in a spectacular live prime-time broadcast on Sunday night. However, before these grand festivities commence, director/writer Jason Reitman and writer Gil Kenan invite us to journey back nearly half a century to the pivotal moments when NBC’s long-standing late-night sketch comedy and music show transitioned from a mere concept to an iconic reality.

The upcoming film “Saturday Night,” produced by Sony Pictures, is rooted in the real-life narrative of SNL’s inception. Based on comprehensive interviews conducted by Reitman and Kenan with the original living cast, writers, and crew, the film meticulously documents the intense 90 minutes leading up to SNL’s debut broadcast. Earlier, audiences were treated to an official trailer and two key art posters, but now, Reitman and his team delve deeper, revealing the meticulous labor and unwavering dedication required to recreate one of television’s most memorable nights.

The film is set to make its debut with screenings at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival (TFF) and Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) before its official premiere on October 11th. This behind-the-scenes look at Sony Pictures Entertainment’s “Saturday Night” promises to captivate viewers, offering an in-depth portrayal of the hard work and painstaking attention to detail that brought this historic night to life.