Sorry to Bother You Boots Riley

Boots Riley describes the film as "an absurdist dark comedy with aspects of magical realism and science fiction inspired by the world of telemarketing". The screenplay for Sorry to Bother You was inspired by his own time working as a telemarketer and telefundraiser in California and his need to put on a different voice to find success.[7] Riley finished the screenplay in 2012, and with no means to produce it, recorded an album of the same title with his band The Coup, inspired by the story. The screenplay was originally published in full as part of McSweeney's issue 48 in 2014.[8]

In June 2017, it was announced that production would go forward on Sorry to Bother You, directed by Riley, and that LaKeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson and Steven Yeun had been cast in the film. Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker of Significant Productions served as producers, along with Jonathan Duffy, Kelly Williams, Charles D. King and George Rush. Financing was provided by Significant Productions, MACRO, and Cinereach.[9] The same month, Armie Hammer, Jermaine Fowler, Omari Hardwick and Terry Crews also joined the cast.[10][11][12] In July 2017, Danny Glover, David Cross and Patton Oswalt joined the cast,[13] with Kate Berlant, Robert Longstreet and Michael Sommers added later that month.[14]

Filming

Principal photography began on June 22, 2017, in Oakland, California,[14] and concluded on July 30, 2017.[15]

It was rumored that Steve Buscemi performed Danny Glover's character's "white voice", but Riley said it was actually the film's sound engineer,[7] Ryan Coursey.

Following the premiere at Sundance, producer Megan Ellison gave Riley $200,000 for reshoots and an additional scene.[4]

Music

The film score was composed and performed by Tune-Yards. Riley and The Coup recorded an original soundtrack for the film as well, which was released June 13, 2018.[16][17] The first single, "OYAHYTT", featuring LaKeith Stanfield, was released July 13, 2018.