This New Mel Brooks Inspired Comedy Is Ready to Teach Kids the Power of Revenge

The Sundance Film Festival may be leaving Park City, Utah, but the core mission of the cherished institution remains the same: spotlighting new and exciting independent voices. First-time feature director Giselle Bonilla and screenwriter Alex Heller are exactly the kind of artistic figures that Sundance turns into stars. With Bonilla at the helm and Heller behind the page, The Musical, premiering at the festival, is a fresh spin on a school-set comedy with a touch of Mel Brooks, as the premise of an intentionally botched and woeful stage production is sure to draw parallels to The Producers. The film stars Will Brill (The OA), Gillian Jacobs (Community), and Rob Lowe (9-1-1: Lone Star), also serving as a producer.

At the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, Collider's Steve Weintraub sat down with Bonilla, Heller, Brill, Jacobs, and Lowe at the Arby's Cinema Center to discuss The Musical, comedic inspirations, and working with young actors to fill out the cast. The film is also a love letter to all the most formative teachers and music instructors. "The best teachers don't just teach you the material, they teach you about life," Heller told Collider.

But getting an independent production off the ground is a laborious process. Fortunately, when you have established figures like Lowe recognize the genius of the script, it becomes a much more achievable dream. When asked about what it was that drew him to this particular project, not only as a lead but as a producer, Lowe explained:

"For me, it was so audacious and a really big swing, and yet, really, really grounded and really smart. The characters were great, dialogue was great. It was just one of the smartest scripts that I'd read in a really long time. When you see the movie, you'll know what I'm talking about. There's a very big swing in it. I always like movies where you go, 'I can't believe they did that. I can't believe it goes there.' And it does. But also the crispness. It really spoke to me. And I also really identified with the character."

Image via Sundance

Both Jacobs and Brill agreed, but Brill admitted it was director Bonilla who convinced him when she declared she was aiming to be the "female, Mexican Mel Brooks." Heller offers more insight on the filmmaking duo's admiration for the renowned director, saying:

"The Mel Brooks thing is very real. When I was a kid, probably nine, probably too young, my brother showed me The Producers, and it was just like, 'What is this? I didn't know movies could be like this.' Then years later, we’re in the first year of film school at AFI together. We both happened to be reading Mel Brooks' autobiography, and I'm looking for, 'Okay, what am I going to write that's going to be my voice?' I was like, 'I want to write something that gives people that feeling, hopefully.' And then Giselle, in my mind, we met pretty early on, and I was like, 'This has to be the person to work with on this crazy idea.'"

For more on The Musical, check out the full conversation in the video above, with a time index below where the team discuss their new film and share their opinions on all things movies.

• 00:33 - What Is The Musical?
• 01:13 - Giselle Bonilla Is Going for the “Female, Mexican Mel Brooks”
• 03:02 - How Mel Brooks Inspired the Story
• 04:08 - Building Chemistry and a Cast of Kids
• 06:00 - The Cast's Spite and Inspiration from Past Teachers
• 08:39 - How the Cast Prepare to Step on Set
• 11:30 - The Musical Team Play Collider’s Bracket Challenge!
• 15:10 - The Crew Also Discuss Their Favorite Movies from Iconic Directors

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Arby’s, for making the Collider Studio happen at the Arby’s Cinema Center and keeping us all fed with their selection of curly fries, mozzarella sticks, and tastes of their new Italian Beef Dip, a new limited-time sandwich that brings Chicago-style flavors to its menu. In addition, thanks to our supporting partners, including Hendrick’s Gin, Sommsation - The Wine Company, Peroni USA, neau water, Bernier, and our producing partner Twenty35 Agency.

Release Date January 25, 2026

Director Giselle Bonilla

Writers Alexander Heller

Producers Rob Lowe, Greg Lauritano, Findlay Brown, Jordan Backhus, Alexander Heller

Cast

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  Nevada Jose

  Little Mikey Gomez (LMG)