Will Forte Makes National Lampoon A National Sensation In A Futile And Stupid Gesture Trailer

As a comedy brand, National Lampoon has lent its name to dozens of movies and TV shows over the decades, helping to define a whole era of comedy in American culture. Now, Netflix is bringing you the story of National Lampoon itself, and you can watch the first trailer for the upcoming comedy picture now.

Based on the book of the same name by Josh Karp, A Futile and Stupid Gesture chronicles the life and career of Doug Kinney, the co-founder, editor for and writer of National Lampoon. He's played in the movie by Will Forte, with a fictional older version of the character acting as the movie's narrator, played by Martin Mull.

Starting as a Harvard University-based humor magazine in 1969, National Lampoon went from a scrappy surrealist satire rag to a media empire over the course of the 1970s. As the publication went from a small campus interest to an actual national sensation, the magazine's creative staff eventually branched out into radio and film, producing classic comedy movies such as National Lampoon's Animal House, Caddyshack, and National Lampoon's Vacation.

A Futile and Stupid Gesture was directed by The State and Stella member David Wain, whose previous projects include Wanderlust, Role Models, and Childrens Hospital. He also directed the movie Wet Hot American Summer, as well as its two Netflix-produced continuation series First Day of Camp and Ten Years Later.

In addition to Forte, A Futile and Stupid Gesture stars a robust and talented roster of comedians and comic actors, including Jon Daly, Matt Walsh, Natasha Lyonne, John Gemberling, Joel McHale, Thomas Lennon, Paul Scheer, Emmy Rossum, Seth Green, Domhnall Gleeson, Matt Lucas, Armen Weitzman, Jackie Tohn, Joe Lo Truglio, Brian Huskey, Matt Lucas and more. 

Basically, if you're a fan of the modern alt-comedy scene, be it through stand-up, sketch shows, or podcasts, this is a love letter to a bygone era of counter-culture comedy you aren't going to want to miss. 

A Futile and Stupid Gesture arrives on Netflix on January 26, 2018.