Few stand-up acts have reached the level of superstardom ofCheech MarinandTommy Chong. As the stoner comedy duoCheech & Chong, they were counterculture icons, selling out concerts, delivering platinum-selling records,making a fortune at the box office with original filmslike 1978’sUp in Smoke, and even getting their own mobile games. They’ve also had wildly successful solo careers on-screen, fromNash BridgestoThat 70s Show,Zootopia,Color Out of Space, andFrom Dusk Till Dawn. One of the few things they didn’t have, however, was a fully authorized documentary exploring how they helped define an era and remain recognizable 50 years later through their brand baked in sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll. That’s about to change this April withCheech and Chong’s Last Movieand Collider can exclusively share the official trailer.
Though it’s billed as a documentary, the footage assures that this film is so much more than a straightforward tour through the lives and careers of Cheech and Chong. In fitting fashion for the duo, it’salso a road trip buddy comedyfollowing the pair on a journey “southwest of f—ing nowhere” as they riff and reminisce about their rise to the top with a mix of footage fromtheir on-stage and on-screen performances. Chong recalled how hard it was to begin with, navigating a landscape in which comedians weren’t respected and entering the scene with a style that they were making up as they went along.Up in Smokepaved the way forward and helped them become pop culture legends, yet nothing lasts forever. Between the comedy, Marin and Chong will have deeper conversations about their break-up and general evolution asthey grew beyond just stoner comedians. Ultimately, though, their talk looks to paint an honest picture of a deep, tender friendship that has ultimately survived all these years despite how much they can drive each other crazy.
David Bushell Finally Gets to Work With Cheech and Chong in ‘Last Movie’
Cheech and Chong’s Last Moviewas directed byDavid Bushellin what marked his feature debut. Although he hadn’t helmed a full-fledged documentary before, he has some experience in the space, previously directing the shortJim Carrey: I Needed Colorin 2017. Before that, Bushell primarily worked as a producer on films likeDallas Buyers Club,Sling Blade, andEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. His first feature not only let him work with Marin and Chong but also their regular producerLou Adler, who was among the string of guests who appeared throughout. According to the director, the film is a long-overdue realization of his past attempts atmaking something with the legendary duo, saying in a statement:
“Last Movie was born out of the failure to make a scripted Cheech & Chong comedy that I was set to produce almost 20 years ago. Cosmically that wasn’t meant to be so I took my passion and ambition to direct, coupled it with my love of documentary, and convinced these two road dogs to let me tell their epic story. We are excited to bring this trip of a lifetime to audiences around the country for the definitive retrospective of the lives and careers of this iconic duo.”
Keep Smokin' will distribute Bushell’s “moviementary,” which the director also produced alongside Chong’s daughterRobbi Chong. Executive producers includeJohn Paul DeJoria,Gary Haseley,Cleo Segura Sherrel, andChristian Selleron.Last Moviehad its world premiere atSXSWlast year to strong reviews and will now look to bring that success to the big screen, starting with a special engagement thatwill light things up in select theaters on 4/20 at 4:20 p.m., man.
After its pot-themed debut,Cheech & Chong’s Last Moviewill arrive in theaters nationwide on April 25. Check out the exclusive trailer above.
Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie
“Cheech & Chong’s Last Movie” is an upcoming documentary directed by David L. Bushell that delves into the five-decade-long career of the iconic stoner comedy duo, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. The film combines animation, archival footage, and a classic road trip narrative to explore their enduring legacy, from their early stand-up performances to their influential films.
