Spectacular Now’s James Ponsoldt to direct I Want My MTV adaptation

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

A24 has announced that they've picked up the rights to Rob Tannenbaum and Craig Marks' critically-acclaimed 2011 book I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution, and that they have hired THE SPECTACULAR NOW and SMASHED filmmaker James Ponsoldt to write and direct the adaptation. Ponsoldt will also produce the movie with A24 and VisionChaos Productions' Eva Maria Daniels.

"I Want My MTV" chronicles the founding and first 10 years of the network, a golden era in both music and television where MTV became the emblem of a new generation. The network was a radical idea that no one thought would succeed; but what started as a channel showcasing videos from obscure British bands soon transformed into a cultural sensation that tapped directly into the imagination and spirit of contemporary teenagers. The same passionate, reckless young group that built the company ushered it into a global phenomenon that deeply influenced everything from movies, music, and television to fashion, sports, and politics.

According to the press release, the film "will be a fun, immersive look at the network’s rise, and will weave the book’s testimonials into a thrilling and celebratory account of this one-of-a-kind cultural moment." In a statement, Ponsoldt said, "As a child of the 1980’s, MTV had a massive impact on me, and I’m so excited to again be working with my friends at A24 in exploring the storied early years of the groundbreaking channel." If you're interested in reading the book, you can order it through Amazon here. Do you think the director is a good fit for I WANT MY MTV?

Ponsoldt most recently directed Jason Segel and Jesse Eisenberg in THE END OF THE TOUR, and he is currently doing post-production work on his big screen adaptation of Dave Eggers' The Circle starring Tom Hanks, Emma Watson and John Boyega.