Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer started writing comedy skits in junior high before they cemented their place in "Saturday Night Live" history with Digital Shorts like "Hugs" and "YOLO". Next, the trio known as The Lonely Island will combine their comedic and musical skills in a big screen movie.
Universal Pictures acquired a pitch from the comedy group to star and produce a film set in the world of music, according to Variety. Judd Apatow, the man behind comedy hits "Knocked Up," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," and "Bridesmaids," will produce. Schaffer and Taccone will co-direct.
Samberg, Taccone and Schaffer worked on the NBC sketch comedy show from 2005 to 2011. During their tenure, they launched the popular "SNL Digital Shorts" segments. The most popular skits were music videos "Lazy Sunday," "Natalie's Rap" with Natalie Portman and "I'm On A Boat" with T-Pain. The latter received a 2010 Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
Their work with Justin Timberlake for the video "Dick In A Box" won a 2007 Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics. Timberlake and Samberg reprised their roles for sequels "Motherlover" (co-starring Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson) and "3-Way (The Golden Rule)" featuring Lady Gaga.
The Lonely Island released their first comedy/music album "Incredibad" in 2009. They followed it up with "Turtleneck & Chain" in 2011. The albums feature songs that first aired on SNL, as well as original material. They also helped co-write "Everything Is Awesome," the popular song off the "The Lego Movie" soundtrack.
Samberg's Fox comedy "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" returns for a second season on Sunday, Sept. 28. The series and Samberg each won a Golden Globes award at the 2014 ceremony. Taccone and Schaffer appeared together in small parts for "Grown Ups 2" and "Neighbors."
The Lonely movie is in development and does not have a title. No premiere date has been set.
