Unfrosted: Jerry Seinfeld’s Netflix comedy turns the battle to create Pop-Tarts into a star-studded 1960s story

Jerry Seinfeld has assembled an unusually packed comedy cast for his directorial debut, turning the creation of one of America’s best-known breakfast foods into the inspiration for a fictional Netflix comedy.

Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story arrived on Netflix in May 2024, with Seinfeld directing, producing, co-writing and starring in the movie.

Set in Michigan in 1963, the film imagines the rivalry between Kellogg’s and William Post as they race to develop the breakfast product that would eventually become a household staple.

But the story itself may not be the biggest attraction.

Alongside Seinfeld is an enormous ensemble featuring Melissa McCarthy, Hugh Grant, Amy Schumer, Jim Gaffigan, James Marsden, Christian Slater, Bill Burr and Schitt’s Creek star Daniel Levy.

A movie idea that began years earlier

The origins of the project stretch back several years.

In 2018, Seinfeld publicly floated the idea of making a movie about the invention of Pop-Tarts, imagining the sugar-fuelled cereal culture surrounding Kellogg’s in Battle Creek, Michigan, during the mid-1960s.

Six years later, that idea became a Netflix movie.

Seinfeld co-wrote the screenplay with Spike Feresten and Barry Marder while also stepping behind the camera as director.

On screen, he plays Bob Cabana, the fictional head of development at Kellogg’s and an inventor involved in the race to create the new breakfast food.

Melissa McCarthy and Jim Gaffigan join the Kellogg’s team

Melissa McCarthy plays Donna Stankowski, another fictional Kellogg’s employee.

McCarthy has built a career across television and comedy films and, before Unfrosted, appeared alongside her husband Ben Falcone in the 2022 Netflix series God’s Favorite Idiot.

Jim Gaffigan takes the role of fictional Kellogg’s president Edsel Kellogg III.

The comedian has appeared in projects including Luca, That ’70s Show and Full Circle, and is known for a comedy style often considered family-friendly.

Hugh Grant takes on an unexpected real-life character

Hugh Grant also joins the ensemble, but his character is not fictional.

The British actor portrays Thurl Ravenscroft, adding another unusual role to a career that includes Notting Hill, Four Weddings And A Funeral, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Love Actually, Music And Lyrics and Wonka.

Amy Schumer, meanwhile, plays Marjorie Post.

Schumer became widely known through Inside Amy Schumer before starring in projects including Trainwreck, I Feel Pretty and Life & Beth.

James Marsden, Christian Slater and Jack McBrayer add to the huge cast

James Marsden appears as Jack LaLanne.

Marsden’s film credits range from The Notebook and Enchanted to Hairspray and Sonic the Hedgehog, while his television work includes Westworld and 30 Rock.

Another 30 Rock connection comes through Jack McBrayer, best known for playing Kenneth Parcell in the sitcom.

McBrayer plays Steve Schwinn in Unfrosted. His other credits include voicing Fix-It Felix Jr. in the Wreck-It Ralph franchise.

Christian Slater appears as Mike Diamond. The actor rose to prominence through Heathers and later starred in films including True Romance and Broken Arrow.

Bill Burr becomes JFK while a Schitt’s Creek favourite transforms into Andy Warhol

Perhaps some of the movie’s most unexpected casting comes further down the list.

Comedian Bill Burr portrays President John F. Kennedy.

Alongside his stand-up career, Burr has appeared in Breaking Bad and The Mandalorian and hosts Bill’s Monday Morning Podcast.

Daniel Levy, meanwhile, plays artist Andy Warhol.

Levy became internationally recognised through the Emmy-winning Schitt’s Creek, which he starred in alongside his father. After the show ended in 2020, he went on to write, direct and star in Netflix comedy-drama Good Grief.

Comedian Sarah Cooper rounds out another part of the ensemble as Kellogg’s employee Poppy Northcutt. Cooper previously became a viral sensation through videos mimicking Donald Trump before starring in her 2020 Netflix special Everything’s Fine.

A breakfast-food rivalry turned into a Netflix comedy

Rather than presenting itself as a straightforward account of how Pop-Tarts were invented, Unfrosted uses the rivalry surrounding the famous breakfast food as the foundation for a fictional comedy.

It also marks a major career first for Seinfeld.

Decades after becoming a household name through the sitcom that premiered in 1989, the comedian has moved into the director’s chair while surrounding himself with performers from some of television and film’s biggest comedies.

And with everyone from Hugh Grant and Melissa McCarthy to Bill Burr and Daniel Levy appearing, the cast may be every bit as unusual as the story itself.

Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story is available on Netflix.