During Super Bowl weekend, Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar shared an update on his upcoming musical comedy film. Discussing Films spread the news on Twitter (now X) announcing its release date, July 4th, 2025. He has been working on the project with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone despite facing numerous obstacles during production. Here’s what to know about Lamar’s upcoming summer blockbuster.
The Project Began in 2022
According to Collider, ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global) and Paramount Pictures announced Lamar’s project on Jan. 14th, 2022. The untitled musical comedy is partnered with Lamar and Dave Free’s multimedia company, pgLang. Vernon Chatman, who wrote the film, explained the concept:
“The past and present come to a head when a young black man who is interning as a slave reenactor at a living history museum discovers that his white girlfriend’s ancestors once owned his.”
It’s assumed that Parker and Stone have been brought onto production for Chatman is a co-writer for South Park. It’s also a fantastic sign because both producers are musical professionals. Aside from the raunchy songs for Comedy Central’s cartoon, Parker and Stone are responsible for the 2011 Broadway musical comedy The Book of Mormon. The musical won nine Tony Awards during its performance run.
Lamar’s Musical Comedy Film Struggles
During the film’s 3-year development, the untitled musical comedy faced negative reception and scheduling conflicts. Throughout 2022, Lamar was in the process of finishing his latest album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Later, on Sept. 26th, Hot New Hip Hop reported that Twitter users found Lamar’s film’s subject to be sensitive. Twitter user @_zolarmoon commented:
“Not a comedy. Confronting your ancestral past isn’t all that funny when you’re colored in America. It’s not giving me loyalty in my DNA, Kendrick.”
Following March 7th, 2023, The Los Angeles Times reported Parker and Stone faced Warner Bros. Discovery in a lawsuit. The company raised allegations against South Park Studios for breaking a licensing agreement back in 2019. Their show contract stated that each season (24th, 25th, and 26th) will have 10 episodes. Instead, the studio produced 16 episodes and two 50-minute specials.
Lamar, Parker, and Stone encountered more troubles down the road in 2024. On March 22nd, Mr. Morale entered a rap feud against Canadian rapper Drake. They sent out diss tracks to one another up to May 5th, 2024. “Not Like Us” has grown to become Lamar’s best song as he claims his rival and OVO Sound are sex offenders.
Meanwhile, on Nov. 22, 2024, Parker and Stone were drawn to actor concerns from their restaurant, Casa Bonita. The workers experienced a lack of employee benefits, work safety, training, and unfair pay after the restaurant’s reopening. Both men voted to allow the workers to unionize under the Actor’s Equity Association.
Unnamed Film is Nearly Finished
While both parties are continuing their battles, Lamar and the South Park creators aim to finish production before July. Hot New Hip Hop has been following the crew’s journey since 2022. Their last report on the unnamed musical comedy was on Oct. 1st, 2024. Lamar was seen on set in Pomona, California, with Parker and Stone. At this time, Warner Bros. Discovery won the South Park lawsuit, while the Compton rapper took home 5 Grammys this year.
