Two comedy heavyweights are joining forces to bring some serious laughter (and chaos) to the big screen. Kenan Thompson and Lamorne Morris are set to star in Unwanted, an action comedy based on the hit podcast of the same name.
Morris dropped the news during a recent episode of The Lamorning After, where Thompson appeared as a guest. The podcast, which Morris co-created with his longtime collaborator Kyle Shevrin, originally debuted in 2021 and quickly rose to the top of the fiction charts. Seeing these two Black creatives take ownership of their narratives and expand from audio to film is exactly the kind of boss move we love to see.
From Podcast Charts to the Big Screen
The story of Unwanted follows two degenerates who attempt to cash in on a $1 million reward by tracking down an escaped convicted murderer. As expected, the plan spirals fast, with the pair finding themselves wildly unprepared for the danger and mayhem that comes with the job.
It’s a classic setup for comedy gold, but what makes this project special is the talent behind the scenes. Morris and Shevrin, who wrote and directed the original audio series, have penned the screenplay adaptation themselves. They will also produce the film through their 11 Below banner. Thompson and John Ryan Jr. are producing through Artists For Artists.
By writing, producing, and starring in their own projects, Morris and Thompson are showing the world that they aren’t just funny faces in front of a camera—they are creators and business moguls building their own legacies.
A Powerhouse Production Team
The team bringing Unwanted to life includes some heavy hitters. Additional producers include Carter Swan and Billy Magnussen—who starred opposite Morris in the original podcast—along with QCode’s Rob Herting, Ben Curtis, and Nick Shanks. Jonathan Davino will executive produce.
Richie Keen is set to direct, with production scheduled to begin this summer.
Booked and Busy
Morris continues to expand his already busy slate. The Emmy winner is set to appear opposite Nicolas Cage in Prime Video’s Spider-Noir and is currently in production on the next installment of the Jumanji franchise. Beyond acting, he remains active in the podcast space, hosting The Mess Around with former New Girl castmate Hannah Simone.
Meanwhile, Thompson maintains his record-setting run on Saturday Night Live, now in its 51st season. He also co-hosts and executive produces Prime Video’s sports series Good Sports alongside Kevin Hart, and recently reteamed with Kel Mitchell for the upcoming horror comedy Kenan & Kel Meet Frankenstein.
With proven chemistry, deep comedy roots, and a built-in audience from the podcast world, Unwanted is shaping up to be a natural transition from audio hit to big-screen success. We can’t wait to see what these two bring to the table.
