Andy Samberg's Movie Career (2007 - 2011)

Andy Samberg's first film was a starring role as Rod Kimble in Hot Rod (2007). Thanks go to Lazy Sunday, Will Ferrell (for taking the project to Lorne), and for Lorne Michaels for putting up Andy as an option.



Next, in 2008, Andy appeared (in voice) in Space Chimps (a 3D animated film) as the main character (Ham), and he appeared as a cameo in Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist.

So it seemed that Andy moved backwards, going from two lead roles (Hot Rod and Space Chimps) into cameo and supporting roles (but this is understandable since his two films didn't hit)...

Andy played a larger supporting role in 2009's I Love You Man. Also in 2009 was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Andy played one of the villains (who actually turned good, Baby Brent).

Andy had difficulty finding any film work in 2010, so he focused on TV cameos, which he has been doing for awhile (Human Giant in 2008, American Dad in 2009, Freaknik the Musical in 2010, Sarah Silverman Program in 2010, Parks and Recreation in 2010, Adventure Time in 2011, and Shark Week in 2011).

But thanks to his latest album (they realize that Andy will consistently put hits out on YouTube each year), it looks like Andy's got some fresh momentum with films starting in 2011, and it looks like it's taking him back toward starring roles.

Friends with Benefits will be released on July 22nd. Andy's role is likely just a cameo. His friend, Justin Timberlake, stars opposite Mila Kunis. Other cast members include Jenna Elfman, Nolan Gould (a kid from Modern Family; he's in two Samberg films), Emma Stone, and Woody Harrelson. Andy already filmed this, obviously.

Next up is What's Your Number on September 30th, 2011, starring Andy's friend, Anna Farris. The rom-com also stars Chris Evans (Captain America and Human Torch from Fantastic Four). It looks like another cameo for Andy, but it's great to see him in two films this year! Other cast members include Zachary Quinto (the new Spock and the Heroes villain), Chris Pratt as Disgusting Donald (he's from Parks and Recreation), and Aziz Ansari's voice (Human Giant and also from Parks and Rec). Andy also already filmed his shots for this.

Now Andy is filming I Hate You Dad, Hotel Transylvania, and The To Do List.

I Hate You Dad is currently slated to be released on June 15th, 2012. Adam Sandler is a disagreeable father who moves in with his son (Andy Samberg) and his son's fiancee (Leighton Meester). Also stars Susan Sarandon, James Caan, Will Forte, Ian Zierring, Vanilla Ice, Colin Quinn, and Alan Thicke. This is an unusual cast for an Adam Sandler film, who usually casts his friends in side roles (Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon, David Spade, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, Nick Swardson, Allen Covert, Peter Dante, Robert Smigel, Jackie Sandler (his wife), or even folks who aren't regular but have still been in a few, like Dan Aykroyd, Chris Rock, Norm MacDonald, Rachel Dratch, Dave Matthews, Tim Meadows, John Turturro, and Jon Lovitz).

(In I Hate You Dad, only Colin Quinn is a duplicate, who was also in Grown Ups. Even though Rob Schneider was in Grown Ups in 2010, he's not in this one, wasn't in House Bunny in 08, Funny People and Paul Blart in 09, Just Go With It and Zookeeper in 2011, and he isn't slated for Bucky Larson in 2011, Jack & Jill and I Hate You Dad in 2012. Plus the last Rob Schneider film that Sandler produced was Benchwarmers in 06; Sandler didn't produce Big Stan in 07, Chosen One in 2010, his upcoming 2011 Mexican American TV film.) I Hate You Dad is a costarring role for Andy Samberg, alongside Adam Sandler; Andy's third starring role, and his second live-action starring role (since 2007's Hot Rod).

Sometime in 2012, Celeste and Jesse Forever comes from Rashida Jones from Office and Parks & Rec, who is Andy's friend (SNL, I Love You Man, MTV Movie Awards, and they cohosted a party). A divorcing couple tries to maintain their friendship while they both pursue other people. Also stars Elijah Wood (Lord of the Rings) and Emma Roberts. I'm not optimistic that this will be a hit, but it IS a starring role for Andy!

On September 21st, 2012, we have the 3D animated story of Dracula (Adam Sandler), who operates a high-end resort away from the human world, and goes into overprotective mode when a boy (Andy Samberg) discovers the resort and falls for the count's teen-aged daughter. I'm not sure who plays the daughter, but Steve Buscemi and Molly Shannon play a werewolf couple, David Spade plays Quasimodo, Cee-Lo plays a Mummy, and Fran Drescher plays Eunice. The film is from Sony Animation, and it's Andy's 3rd animated film, 2nd starring role in an animated film, 5th starring role overall (Hot Rod, Space Chimps, I Hate You Dad, Celeste and Jesse Forever, and Hotel Transylvania), and his 10th film.

To Do List comes last. It's supposed to be released in 2013. A recent high-school grad (Aubrey Plaza) feels pressured to become more sexually experienced before she goes to college, so she makes a list of sexual goals (looks like other women want the raunchy success that Kristen Wiig's Bridesmaids enjoyed). Andy might have a larger supporting role in this one. It also stars Rachel Bilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse (from Superbad), Bill Hader, Donald Glover (from Community), and Nolan Gould (from Modern Family).

Overall, the supporting roles are good, but it's really the Adam Sandler comedy that will likely be a hit and give Andy a chance to follow it up with another hit.

Andy needs to collaborate with The Lonely Island either on a new show (probably a sketch show called The Lonely Island that is just their digital shorts) or have the dudes put together a movie from scratch (not like Hot Shots, where they were stuck with someone else's script to stick to). Of course, after Hot Rod and McGruber, I'm not sure the dudes can put together a successful movie on their own. One way to find out, though.

- TAE