Dylan O'Brien Jokes He's 'Okay' If Dan Aykroyd 'Hates' HisSaturday NightPortrayal ofSNLComedian (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Dylan O’Brien in Park City, Utah, on Jan. 19, 2024 (L); Dan Aykroyd onSaturday Night Live.Photo:Katie Jones/Variety via Getty; NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Katie Jones/Variety via Getty; NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Dylan O’Brienhas big shoes to fill inSaturday Night— and he’s fine with that!

Speaking with PEOPLE about the upcoming film, in which he stars asDan Aykroyd, the 33-year-old addressed the pressure that comes along with playing someone still living.

And for O’Brien, “I’m okay if my guy hates it,” he jokingly says. “It’s acceptance. That was my method.”

While he hasn’t yet met Aykroyd, 72, O’Brien is looking forward to when he gets to do so, saying he “can’t wait” and is “0% terrified.”

“I hear we’re very similar, in a way that I never knew,” theTeen Wolfalum says. “I feel like we’re going to get along.”

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From L: Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle), Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), John Belushi (Matt Wood) and Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brien) inSaturday Night(2024).Sony Pictures

Sony Pictures

The film will focus onSNLcreatorLorne Michaels(Gabriel LaBelle) and the famous cast he worked with: O’Brien as Aykroyd,Cory Michael SmithasChevy ChaseandLamorne MorrisasGarrett Morris.

Other cast members include Ella Hunt asGilda Radner, Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman, Kim Matula asJane Curtin, Matt Wood asJohn Belushi, Nicholas Podany asBilly Crystal,Nicholas BraunasJim Henson,Kaia Gerberas Jacqueline Carlin,Rachel Sennottas Rosie Shuster, the latePhilip Seymour Hoffman’s sonCooper Hoffmanas Dick Ebersol,Jon Batisteas musician Billy Preston,Willem Dafoeas David Tebet andJ.K. Simmonsas Milton Berle.

Additionally,Stranger Things’Finn Wolfhardwill make an appearance in the movie as an NBC page.Andrew Barth Feldman,Tommy DeweyandMatthew Rhysalso star in the film.

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Dan Aykroyd (L); Dylan O’Brien.Noam Galai/Getty Images; Marc Piasecki/WireImage

Noam Galai/Getty Images; Marc Piasecki/WireImage

Aykroyd appeared onSNLfrom 1975 to 1979, starring in sketches like The Blues Brothers and Coneheads, both of which led to spinoff feature films. He also worked as a writer for the late-night comedy show, and bagged fiveEmmynominations.

Speaking toEntertainment Tonightat the New York City premiere ofGhostbusters: Frozen Empirein March, Aykroyd opened up about O’Brien’s upcoming portrayal of him inSaturday Night.

“We’ll see. You know what, I’m justglad the young actor got work,” the comedian and actor joked. “If he’s compelled to play me, well, I’m glad he got work.”

Saturday Nightis in select theaters Sept. 27 and everywhere Oct. 11.

source: people.com