Then & Now: The “Wet Hot American Summer” Cast

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Unless you live under a rock, you’re probably aware by now that the long-awaited Netflix release of the Wet Hot American Summer prequel launched today. This news gives us instant plans for any downtime we have this weekend (or perhaps at work right now), so let’s take a quick look at the night-and-day transformations that have taken place since its July 2001 launch, when essentially nobody on this now-ensemble comedic cast was at celebrity status.

Amy Poehler

Then, age 29: While waiting to join Saturday Night Live later that fall, Poehler was struggling to make a name for herself in Hollywood, having minimal roles in two less-than-special flicks (Tomorrow Night and Deuce Bigalow).

Now: SNL legend, Parks and Recreation town hero, superstar friends with Tina Fey, lead voice in a successful Pixar movie, etc. Amy Poehler is the alpha female.

Elizabeth Banks

Then, age 27: Also had exactly two film credits as a glorified extra, both of equal irrelevance (Surrender Dorothy and Shaft). Wet Hot was her first under her current stage name.

Now: After scoring a fun supporting role in the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy as the hot brunette newspaper receptionist, she’s risen to fame through The Hunger Games series, a lead voiceover role in the box office smash hit Lego Movie, along with starring/leading in the irresistibly popular Pitch Perfect franchise.

Honorable mention: my personal favorite, the crazy bitch from The 40-Year-Virgin, Beth.

Paul Rudd

Then, age 31: Had achieved modest success, having recognizable supporting roles in the Romeo + Juliet (the Leo DiCaprio one), The Great Gatsby (the not Leo DiCaprio one), and as the nice, dorky step-brother in Clueless.

Now: Is playing the title role in the superhero movie of the summer(?), Ant-Man. Leading up to it, he has cashed in in a major way on close relationships for major roles in major projects with both David Wain (Wet Hot, Role Models, Wanderlust) and Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, This Is 40, and an unrecognizable version of himself as Brian Fantana in both Anchorman films, in which he is responsible for my favorite line).

Bradley Cooper

Then, age 25: Three years removed from Georgetown graduation, this was actually his first movie role. He may or may not have been too busy asking overly thought-out questions while rocking a butt-cut beforehand.

Now: This guy is the man every man wishes they could be — plain and simple. Since being the “cool guy” in the most legendary comedy of our time, The Hangover, this stud has gone onto slam dunk starring roles in various kinds of productions: a drug-abusing deadbeat in Silver Linings Playbook, a badass lieutenant in The A-Team, a superdrug-abusing writer in Limitless, a raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy, and most importantly, heroic American Navy Seal Chris Kyle in the recent American Sniper. To boot, he has eternally great hair (which I’ve previously acknowledged), and will always be remembered by me as my favorite comedy villain-tool. “Once at my place, then once back in the cab.”

The quality of this Netflix prequel may turn out to be complete garbage, but I’m a complete sucker for reunions and star power. These superstars coming back to Camp Firewood to combine their talents once again, along with the mess of guest stars that includes the like of Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Michel Cera, Jordan Peele, and underrated hottie Lake Bell, you’d be a fool not to indulge in this.

So if you need me, I’ll be irresponsibly nerding out to a money-making spinoff on Netflix all weekend..

Image via YouTube

Then & Now: The “Wet Hot American Summer” Cast

Amy Poehler

Elizabeth Banks

Paul Rudd

Bradley Cooper

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Then & Now: The “Wet Hot American Summer” Cast

Amy Poehler

Elizabeth Banks

Paul Rudd

Bradley Cooper

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