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Timothée Chalamet, known for his leading roles, surprises many by embracing smaller parts if the project resonates with him. Despite his A-list status, he doesn’t shy away from roles that aren’t in the spotlight, nor does he restrict himself to blockbuster films. An example of this is his supporting character in “Entergalactic,” an innovative animated musical rom-com co-created by Scott Mescudi, also known as Kid Cudi, which premiered on Netflix in 2022.
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If “Entergalactic” isn’t on your radar, you’re not alone. Originally conceived to complement Kudi’s album of the same name, it went unnoticed by many and hasn’t gained cult status over time. This is unfortunate, as its impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes suggests it’s worth watching. The film not only features Chalamet but also boasts a star-studded cast including Vanessa Hudgens, Keith David, Macauley Culkin, and Jessica Williams.
The journey of “Entergalactic” to its release is as intriguing as its plot. It was initially envisioned to debut simultaneously as an album and an animated musical series. However, Mescudi shifted focus to another album, delaying “Entergalactic.” During this period, the project’s format evolved significantly. Initially intended as a live-action series, Mescudi was persuaded by Kenya Barris, who later co-created the project, to transform it into an animated feature. Ultimately, it was released as a 93-minute “television special.”
The narrative follows Scott Mescudi’s character, Jabari, an artist navigating the challenge of integrating a new romantic relationship (played by Williams) into his life without compromising his career aspirations. Chalamet voices Jimmy, one of Jabari’s friends. The film is underscored by tracks from Mescudi’s “Entergalactic” album, intertwining the music with its storyline and providing a visual extension of the album itself. Altogether, “Entergalactic” stands as a remarkable piece of multimedia storytelling deserving of more recognition. It’s a delightful and uplifting option currently available for streaming on Netflix.
Entergalactic was almost a live-action series
Netflix
The original plan was for “Entergalactic” to release simultaneously as both an album and an animated musical TV series on the same day, but Mescudi decided to focus on a different album first, and “Entergalactic” got delayed. During that time, the visual component of the project changed forms several times. Mescudi had actually wanted it to be a live-action series, but Kenya Barris — who would go on to co-create the project — talked him into making it animated. Later, the plans would change one last time, switching from a series to a 93-minute “television special,” which is how it was ultimately released.
As for the story, “Entergalactic” stars Scott Mescudi as Jabari, an artist who is trying to figure out how to fit his new love interest (Williams) into his life without it getting in the way of his career ambitions. Chalamet plays Jimmy, one of Jabari’s friends. Throughout, tracks from Mescudi’s “Entergalactic” album score the film and help to tell its story, with the project likewise providing a visual component to the album. No matter which way you look at it, “Entergalactic” is a masterwork of multimedia storytelling that deserves a lot more attention. It’s one of the many feel-good movies you can stream on Netflix right now.
