A forthcoming comedy film centered on the Rolling Loud music festival is facing significant backlash due to its decision to feature Travis Scott, years after a tragic crowd crush at his own Astroworld festival resulted in ten fatalities.
Trailer Sparks Outrage
The first teaser for Rolling Loud The Movie, starring Owen Wilson and controversial comedian Matt Rife, depicts Wilson's character sneaking his teenage son into the renowned hip-hop festival. The headliner is Scott, playing a fictionalized version of himself. However, the trailer's release on Tuesday ignited controversy, as many drew parallels between the film's premise and the deadly events at Scott's Astroworld festival in Houston, Texas, in November 2021.
Astroworld Tragedy Remembered
During Scott's performance at Astroworld, ten concertgoers aged nine to 27 died from crowd crush and compressive asphyxiation. Eight were pronounced dead on the day, while two more succumbed later in hospital. The incident also left 25 others hospitalized and over 300 attendees injured. Despite widespread criticism directed at Scott and co-organizer Live Nation, a Houston grand jury found no single individual criminally responsible. All ten wrongful death lawsuits were settled out of court, and Scott expressed devastation over the tragedy.
Accusations of Insensitivity
Now, with Live Nation Studios backing the new movie, critics are accusing the film of being insensitive and tone-deaf. One viewer on X wrote, “You cannot ignore the history here. Turning a real tragedy into comedy material with the same artist involved is disrespectful to the families who lost loved ones.” Another commented, “This is gross and in such poor taste and for Travis Scott to be involved?!!” A third added, “This might be the most tone deaf casting we have ever seen, like almost offensively tone deaf, tbh.”
Some speculated that the film could serve as an attempt to divert attention from the tragedy. One user wrote, “This is one of those movies where after this any web related searches to Travis Scott concert are going to redirect to this and not the one he had that got a bunch of people killed.” Another added, “Are they taking the piss? Travis Scott caused multiple deaths at a music festival and now they release a film centered around him performing at a festival. It's either attempting to wipe the original tragedy or it's celebrating it.”
No Comment from Live Nation
Live Nation did not respond to requests for comment on the film. The movie, written and directed by Jeremy Garelick, is described in its synopsis as inspired by Garelick's own experience attending Rolling Loud with his teenager. It is scheduled for a theatrical release in October.
