McHale is in negotiations to join Will Forte who is set to portray the humor magazine's co-founder Douglas Kenney.
- Apr 6, 2016
AceShowbiz - Joel McHale is deemed fit to play National Lampoon legend Chevy Chase. The comedian slash actor is in final negotiations to portray his "Community" co-star in Netflix's National Lampoon biopic "A Futile and Stupid Gesture".
The film follows the tragic story of National Lampoon co-founder Douglas Kenney, who died at the age of 33 after slipping from a 30-foot cliff. Will Forte will portray Kenney while Domhnall Gleeson is playing the humor magazine's co-founder Henry Beard. TheWrap has just reported that "Broad City" star John Gemberling is set to portray John Belushi in the pic.
Kenney met Beard and Robert Hoffman when he was an editor of Harvard Lampoon. After graduation, together they created National Lampoon which later spawned a huge comedy franchise and a major brand in 1970s. Chase became friends with Kenney after starring in 1980's "Caddyshack". The actor was with Kenney in Hawaii before his death but had to return to work in Los Angeles. Chase received the word that Kenney was missing as he prepared to fly back to Hawaii.
It's still an argument whether Kenney's death was accidental or intended. The troubled writer was a trainwreck before his death, talking about suicides, excessively using drugs and driving recklessly.
"Stupid Gesture" will begin filming this month with a budget in the $15 million to $20 million range, THR reported. Script is written by John Aboud while David Wain, the co-creator of "Wet Hot American Summer", is directing.
