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Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Is Vindicated as a Cult Classic

Renewed praise credits the film's music, sharp pop-culture satire and the trio's view of the movie as a record of their friendship.

Overview

  • The Lonely Island wrote, directed and starred in Popstar, which opened in 2016 to weak box-office returns but has been steadily reappraised by critics and fans.
  • Ten-year retrospectives highlight the film's strong original songs and the way musical numbers carry many of its jokes.
  • Reviewers point to plentiful high-profile cameos, including Ringo Starr, Emma Stone, Nas and "Weird Al" Yankovic, as key elements that sharpen the film's satire of pop fame.
  • In a recent oral history Jorma Taccone said the trio have not formally discussed a sequel and described the movie as a personal document of their long friendship.
  • Reporters note there are long-rumored hours of unused footage and vivid production anecdotes—such as a 300-hour shoot and intense run of staged concerts—that could prompt future releases but remain unconfirmed.