Jerry Seinfeld's Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story – What We Know So Far
If anyone can keep audiences captivated by a movie about Pop-Tarts, it would be Jerry Seinfeld, comedian extraordinaire. After all, this is the man who made observational humor an art form. Plus, he already has a famous joke revolving around Pop-Tarts. So famous, in fact, that he has even dissected his Kellogg's-based quip for The New York Times in an attempt to share how he goes about writing his material. Yes, the bit that was birthed on the "Late Show with David Letterman" in 2010 remains a part of Seinfeld's repertoire even today. And now, it's being transformed into a movie.
While fans of Seinfeld's sitcom may assume that the film's title will be something like "These Pop-Tarts are making me thirsty," "Maybe the Dingo Ate Your Pop-Tart," or "No Pop-Tarts for you," the actual name is far removed from the comedian's TV show. Back in 2021, Seinfeld himself tweeted that the movie would be entitled "Unfrosted: The Pop-Tarts Story." Though there's still much we don't know, one thing is certain: Seinfeld's feature-length take on this breakfast pastry's biography is bound to be entertaining.
This tale involves cereal rivals and menacing milkmen
When trying to imagine a movie that focuses on Pop-Tarts, it's hard to conceive of a plot. So, what on earth is Jerry Seinfeld's Pop-Tart flick about? For starters, Seinfeld told Deadline that he did get the idea from his Pop-Tart bit and "exploded it into a giant, crazy comedy movie."
Of course, that's still a bit vague. During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Seinfeld was asked if he could share some details about the plot. It should come as no surprise that the man who led a sitcom about nothing would reply, "There is no story." Fans of his half-hour comedy, however, know that the show that was billed as being "about nothing" actually featured a series of intricately-woven storylines and clever wordplay. It is reasonable, then, to conclude that this movie will, indeed, have a story. Plus, Seinfeld did divulge that the Netflix offering was inspired by the fact that Kellogg's "borrowed" the Pop-Tart concept from Post. Does this smack of espionage and intrigue? Not quite. Netflix hints this is not exactly a Hollywood exposé on "sworn cereal rivals," but it does tell the "tale of ambition, betrayal, sugar, and menacing milkmen." Menacing milkmen? Now that sounds like something Jerry Seinfeld would say.
Perhaps a look at Seinfeld's famous Pop-Tart comedy bit will make things a little clearer. About as clear as milk, anyway.
Seinfeld's Pop-Tart bit keeps them laughing
In a 2012 video interview with The New York Times, Jerry Seinfeld shares his famous Pop-Tarts bit.
"When I was a kid and they invented the Pop-Tart, the back of my head blew right off," the joke begins. The comedian goes on to explain the pitiful options available for breakfast in the 1960s, such as "orange juice that was frozen years in advance" and "shredded wheat, which was like wrapping your lips around a wood chipper." When Pop-Tarts first broke onto the grocery store scene — in 1964, to be exact — Seinfeld says, "we just stared at it like an alien spacecraft and we were like chimps in the dirt playing with sticks... How did they know that there will be a need for a frosted, fruit-filled rectangle in the same shape as the box it comes in with the same nutrition as the box it comes in?" Despite the playful dig at this processed breakfast treat, the comedian certainly has enthusiasm for both the Pop-Tart and making jokes about it: "This seemed to be the new way — two in the packet, two slots in the toaster. Why two? One's not enough, three's too many. And they can't go stale because they were never fresh."
The cast includes Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer, and Hugh Grant
No Seinfeld flick would complete without Jerry Seinfeld himself. Don't worry. He'll be wearing two hats during this film by being both a member of the onscreen cast and a director. Plus, some Hollywood heavy-hitters will be joining him in front of the cameras. So who will be making up this Pop-Tart-appreciating entourage?
It only makes sense that Seinfeld would surround himself with funny men and women. First on deck is Melissa McCarthy of "Bridesmaids" and "Identity Theft" fame. Next up are comedians Jim Gaffigan and Amy Schumer. Add in Hugh Grant, Christian Slater, and James Marsden from "Dead To Me" and you've got one heck of a star-studded cast. While we don't yet know what roles these stars and starlets will be playing, IMDb has provided info regarding a handful of character names. According to the site, Rachael Harris will be Ana Cabanna, LeChristopher Williams is on board to play the Grateful Dead Green Panther, Drew Tarver will be Crackle, Eli Jane is filling the role of Eagle, and Cedric Yarbrough will play Toucan Sam. Did someone say "Toucan Sam?" Perhaps this time, the proboscis-proud mascot will be sniffing out some Pop-Tarts.
Unfrosted has heavy hitters behind the scenes too
While the onscreen talent can attract an audience, there wouldn't be a film without the talent behind the scenes. Thankfully, "Unfrosted" has an impressive list of names lurking in the background. Directing duties will be performed by none other than Jerry Seinfeld. This isn't his first foray into the director's chair: He's performed this role for two Colin Quinn television specials and an episode of "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee."
Unsurprisingly, the writing team is made up of a group of highly experienced humorists. Again, Seinfeld will be involved in the creation of the script alongside his former "Seinfeld" colleagues, Spike Feresten and Andy Robin. Add in Barry Marden from Seinfeld's animated flick, "Bee Movie," and this flick promises to deliver some laugh-out-loud moments.
If you love special effects, you are going to love this. "Unfrosted" has recruited Legacy Effects (the company that dazzled audiences in "Godzilla," the "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Avengers" franchises, and "Black Adam") to mesmerize viewers. One can only wonder how their rendition of Toucan Sam will look.
This is not Seinfeld's first foray into feature films
While Jerry Seinfeld's moniker will be forever linked to the sitcom that bears his surname, he has actually forayed into the realm of the silver screen once before. Surely you remember "Bee Movie," the animated 2007 hit that introduced audiences to Barry B. Benson, a honeybee drone who was unsatisfied with his honey-collecting duties. According to Deadline, this insect-based flick raked in about $10.2 million on the Friday of its release and $17 million on Saturday.
While the movie has received lukewarm reviews — IMDb gave it a 6.1 out of 10, Rotten Tomatoes shows an audience score of 53%, and Roger Ebert weighed in with just two stars — people still ask for a sequel. In fact, in one of Seinfeld's "Ask Me Anything" installments on Reddit, he addressed this very request by saying that he "considered it for a solid six hours...but realized it would make Bee Movie 1 less iconic." Sounds like a hard "no." (Sort of.)
Now that he's pounced headfirst into "Unfrosted," it is even more unlikely that Barry B. Benson will be returning any time soon.
When can you feast your eyes upon Unfrosted?
Now that your curiosity is piqued, you are likely wondering when you'll be able to actually watch "Unfrosted." According to What's On Netflix, the filming was scheduled for May 25 to July 1, 2022 and would take place in LA. In fact, Seinfeld was over-the-moon to receive a tax credit in order to film in Los Angeles as he enjoyed filming "Seinfeld" there and "very much wanted to come back and shoot there again."
Initially, the word on the street was that "Unfrosted" would be released in late 2022. That, obviously, didn't happen. So what's the latest scoop? Well, in November 2022, Seinfeld told The Hollywood Reporter that Netflix was taking its first gander at the edited product. If all went according to plan, he said it "should be out early 2023...I think." So, it seems very possible that the streaming giant will be adding the Pop-Tarts' new movie to its schedule soon.