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After more than a decade in the making, the cult comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U’Recognize are finally bringing their animated feature film, Mars, to the sizeable screen. A special screening tour kicks off this month, offering fans a chance to observe the film and meet the cast, marking the culmination of a project born from their popular sketch series and fueled by a dedicated fanbase.
Mars centers around a decidedly unlucky protagonist, Kyle, who wins a contest to travel to the red planet just days before his wedding. Deciding a trip to space is a better option than marital commitment, he embarks on what quickly becomes a chaotic and disastrous interplanetary adventure. The crew soon discovers their luxury trip is a sham, their fellow passengers are…unconventional and they’re stranded with no way home. The film promises the signature bizarre and boundary-pushing humor that defined The Whitest Kids U’Know’s five-season run on IFC.
The journey to release hasn’t been easy. Conceived during the original sketch display’s run, Mars was crowdfunded through Twitch, allowing the troupe to bring their vision to life. It also represents a poignant final collaboration with the late Trevor Moore, a beloved member of the group. As Sam Brown explained, “After over a decade of work, we couldn’t be more excited about finally releasing ‘Whitest Kids U’Know’s Mars. As the last project we will ever create with our beloved friend and leader, Trevor Moore, this is more than a movie to us. This proves still very dumb and very fun.”
Screening Tour and Release Dates
The theatrical rollout begins Friday, February 20, in Los Angeles, in partnership with Synergetic Distribution. The screenings will then move to Alamo Drafthouse locations in eight cities: San Francisco (February 21), Mountain View (February 22), Denver (February 27), Austin (February 28), Chicago (March 6), Brooklyn (March 7), and Manhattan (March 8). A nationwide theatrical release is scheduled for March 13, according to Bleeding Cool. Fans can find tour dates and ticket information on the official Mars website: wkukmars.com.
For those who miss the Alamo Drafthouse screenings, Mars will also be available for streaming on Darkroom starting March 13. The Blu-ray, packed with over 9 hours of bonus material including deleted scenes, an animatic, and commentary tracks, will be released on March 10 by MediaOCD.
From Sketch Comedy to Animated Feature
The Whitest Kids U’Know, comprised of Trevor Moore, Zach Cregger, Sam Brown, Darren Trumeter, and Timmy Williams, formed at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Their unique brand of comedy quickly gained a following, leading to their successful IFC series. Mars represents a significant expansion of their creative output, transitioning their established style into a full-length animated feature.
The film was directed and produced by Sevan Najarian, whose previous work includes Mystery Science Theater and Adult Swim’s Children’s Hospital. Najarian’s experience in animation and FX played a crucial role in bringing the film’s outlandish visuals to life. Members of The Whitest Kids U’Know – Cregger, Brown, Williams, Trumeter, and Najarian – will be attending the screenings to connect with fans.
Zach Cregger, a member of the troupe, has seen his own directorial success in recent years, with the critically acclaimed horror films Barbarian and Weapons, the latter of which is currently nominated for an Academy Award. His continued success highlights the talent that originated within The Whitest Kids U’Know.
Mars promises a unique comedic experience for fans of the troupe and newcomers alike. The film’s long and unconventional journey to release only adds to its mystique, making its arrival in theaters a highly anticipated event.
As the film prepares for its wider release, audiences can look forward to experiencing the culmination of years of work and a final, hilarious tribute to the late Trevor Moore.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming release of Mars? Share your excitement in the comments below!