Will Forte to Play National Lampoon‘s Co-Founder in Netflix Movie Directed by David Wain

Saturday Night Live alum and star of Fox’s hit comedy The Last Man on Earth Will Forte has signed on to play Doug Kenney, one of the co-founders of National Lampoon, for a Netflix original movie about the tragic talent.

Currently titled A Futile and Stupid Gesture, the adaptation of a 2006 book by Josh Karp follows the once-editor of the Harvard Lampoon on his rapid rise to becoming a major force in 1970s comedy. Responsible in many ways for the career success of comedians like John Belushi and John Hughes, the national humor magazine that Kenney created with Henry Beard and Robert Hoffman became a massively influential brand that spawned a radio show, recordings and movies.

Kenney’s life came to a tragic end at the early age of 33 after the Caddyshack writer was found at the bottom of a cliff in Hawaii, in an incident that was believed to be related to his drug and alcohol issues.

The film will be written by Michael Colton and John Aboud, with directing credit going to Wet Hot American Summer’s David Wain. Peter Principato and Jonathan Stern will produce. Ed Helms is expected to serve as an executive producer in addition to Colton and Aboud. The film is currently aiming to begin production this April.