A decade has passed since the release of "Popstar: Never Stop, Never Stopping," and its creators, The Lonely Island, are reflecting on the film's journey from box office disappointment to cult classic.

Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone, the comedic trio behind the musical mockumentary, recently shared insights into the making of the film and its unexpected afterlife.

Released in 2016, "Popstar" initially struggled to find an audience, recouping less than half of its budget.

However, over the years, the film has garnered a dedicated following, with many now considering it a modern comedy classic.

Its highly quotable jokes have also become integrated into fans' everyday vocabulary, highlighting its lasting impact.

## Creative Process and Influences

Samberg, Schaffer, and Taccone, who had previously honed their skills through "Saturday Night Live" digital shorts and three albums, approached "Popstar" with the intention of creating a vehicle for their beloved comedy music.

Samberg noted that their experience after their previous film, "Hot Rod," made them seek maximum creative control, which producer Judd Apatow helped facilitate.

Schaffer described the movie as a culmination of their honed skills, a project where they could integrate everything they had always wanted to do.

Taccone admitted initial nervousness about focusing the film on their real-life friendship, but Apatow encouraged this direction, emphasizing its inherent value.

Judd Apatow's involvement proved instrumental.

Schaffer recalled how Apatow's feedback on their weekly writing sessions served as a creative "gas tank refill." Samberg observed Apatow's straightforward approach, often guiding them back to the core of their friendship when they overthought ideas.

This focus on their genuine dynamic, and their shared history, became a central theme.

## Crafting the Music and Comedy

The trio began writing songs for the film almost immediately, even before a script was fully developed.

This organic process allowed them to create an abundance of both music and humor.

Schaffer explained that when writing stalled, they would shift to the studio to develop songs, such as "Equal Rights," without knowing where they would fit into the narrative.

This approach allowed them to collect a wealth of funny material to draw from later.

Samberg noted that they would steer their song ideas, initially conceived for The Lonely Island, towards the developing story.

They also experimented with vocal techniques, with Schaffer downloading Auto-Tune to achieve the desired pop sound for songs like "Mona Lisa" and "Finest Girl," as they were not strong singers themselves.

Taccone highlighted the visual aspect of their humor, aiming for jokes that were funny audibly but even funnier when paired with visuals.

## On-Set Experiences and Cameos

The production of "Popstar" involved extensive shooting, including renting the Forum in Los Angeles for 11 days to simulate a world tour.

Samberg described the demanding schedule of performing songs repeatedly, which, while cool, was physically taxing.

The film also featured numerous cameos from famous personalities, a testament to Apatow's connections and the appeal of the project.

Taccone recounted meeting Mariah Carey and Nas, while Schaffer detailed the logistical challenges of scheduling shoots around the availability of busy stars like Ringo Starr.

The film's humor also extended to its visual gags, such as the "Donkey Roll" dance and the infamous limousine scene featuring a flaccid penis, which Samberg noted had even wilder initial concepts.

The creators also revealed that some crowd footage for Conner4Real's concerts was repurposed from a One Direction documentary, with VFX changing the signs to reflect Conner's name.