The Whitest Kids U’ Know’s ‘Mars’ Lands in Theaters and on Blu-ray

After years in development, and featuring the final performance of Trevor Moore, the animated comedy Mars from The Whitest Kids U’ Know is now available in theaters and on Blu-ray as of March 10, 2026. The film’s journey, spanning over a decade, was marked by creative shifts and the tragic loss of a key member of the comedy troupe.

From Sketch to Screen

The project originated in 2012 as an idea among the members of The Whitest Kids U’ Know. Zach Cregger, a co-writer and voice actor in Mars, described the initial process as a joyful exploration of writing together, even while acknowledging the logistical challenges. “We had so many things that we would always start writing, with some vague idea that it would be fun to turn it into a movie,” Cregger explained. The group repeatedly paused development due to the film’s potential cost, estimating it would require a $100 million budget.

A Pivotal Shift to Animation

During the pandemic, the team reconsidered their approach. A suggestion from Trevor Moore to transition Mars into an animated film proved pivotal. This allowed them to realize their vision without budgetary constraints. “That way, it could look like what we all had in our imaginations,” Cregger said. To fund the animation, the group utilized Twitch live-streaming, successfully raising approximately $300,000.

Navigating Loss and Completion

Tragically, Trevor Moore passed away on August 6, 2021, while the film was in production. Cregger described navigating the project without Moore as “brutal,” emphasizing the emotional toll of working with his recorded voice. At the time of Moore’s death, the dialogue had been recorded, and character design and concept art were underway. The team had assembled a “radio play” version of the film, but the visual component remained unfinished.

The Story of ‘Mars’

Mars follows a group of misfits selected by Elron Branson (voiced by Trevor Moore) in a lottery to embark on a mission to Mars. Directed by Sevan Najarian, the film is filled with jokes and running gags. The film is currently screening in select theaters across the country, including Alamo Drafthouse locations in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, and New York. It is also available for purchase on Blu-ray via the official website and Amazon.