The Opening Act

The film follows Will Chu whose true life passion is to become a stand-up comedian. When he is given the opportunity to emcee a comedy show, opening for his hero, Billy G. he must decide if he wants to continue the life he has set up or pursue his dream, the life of a comedian.

• Jimmy O. Yang as Will Chu
• Cedric the Entertainer as Billy G
• Whitney Cummings as Brooke
• Ken Jeong as Quinn
• Debby Ryan as Jen
• Alex Moffat as Chris Palmer
• Iliza Shlesinger as Val
• Neal Brennan as Chip
• Mircea Monroe as Carrie
• Russell Peters as Randy
• Bill Burr as Barry
• Anjelah Johnson as Chrissy
• Tom Segura as Cop
• Roy Wood Jr. as Gary
• Felipe Esparza as Cabbie Steve
• Jermaine Fowler as Ricky
• Jackie Tohn as Megan

In June 2018, it was announced Jimmy O. Yang, Neal Brennan, Russell Peters, Debby Ryan, Bill Burr, Anjelah Johnson, Tom Segura and Roy Wood Jr. had joined the cast of the film, with Steve Byrne, directing from a screenplay he wrote. Vince Vaughn and Peter Billingsley will serve as producers under their Wild West Picture Show Productions banner.{{cite web |last=N'Duka |first=Amanda |title=Jimmy O. Yang To Topline Vince Vaughn-Produced Comedy 'The Opening Act' |url=https://deadline.com/2018/06/jimmy-o-yang-vince-vaughn-produced-comedy-the-opening-act-1202419332/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |accessdate=July 23, 2018 |date=June 28, 2018}} In July 2018, Cedric the Entertainer, Whitney Cummings, Ken Jeong, Jermaine Fowler, Iliza Shlesinger, Alex Moffat, and Felipe Esparza joined the cast of the film.{{cite web |last=N'Duka |first=Amanda |title=Cedric The Entertainer, Whitney Cummings, Ken Jeong, Jermaine Fowler & More Added To 'The Opening Act' |url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/cedric-the-entertainer-whitney-cummings-ken-jeong-jermaine-fowler-the-opening-act-movie-1202431578/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |accessdate=July 24, 2018 |date=July 23, 2018}}{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Megh |title=Jimmy O. Yang to Play an Aspiring Stand-up Comedian in The Opening Act |url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/06/jimmy-o-yang-to-star-in-the-opening-act-movie.html |website=Vulture |date=June 29, 2018 |accessdate=July 23, 2018 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724062605/http://www.vulture.com/2018/06/jimmy-o-yang-to-star-in-the-opening-act-movie.html |archivedate=July 24, 2018}}

In June 2018, it was reported that principal photography for the film had already begun in Los Angeles.

In September 2020, RLJE Films acquired distribution rights to the film and set it for an October 16, 2020, release.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/rlje-films-vince-vaughn-the-opening-act-jimmy-o-yang-jermaine-fowler-ken-jeon-1203028478/|title=RLJE Films Books Vince Vaughn-Produced Comedy 'The Opening Act' With Jimmy O. Yang, Jermaine Fowler & Ken Jeong|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Amanda|last=N'Duka|date=September 1, 2020|accessdate=September 1, 2020}}

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critics consensus reads: "With The Opening Act, writer-director Steve Byrne offers perceptive insights on the struggles faced by budding stand-up comedians -- and creative dreamers in general."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_opening_act|title=The Opening Act|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}

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Category:2020 comedy films

Category:American comedy films

Category:2020s English-language films

Category:Films about actors

Category:Films about comedians

Category:Films shot in Los Angeles

Category:2020 films

Category:2020 directorial debut films

Category:2020s American films