To the Red Planet and Back: A Sit-Down with Mars Director Sevan Najarian

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After years of development, crowdfunding, and overcoming a profound loss, the final project from the legendary sketch group The Whitest Kids U’ Know has finally arrived. Titled Mars, the animated feature follows Kyle, an average guy stuck in a thankless dental job who wins a raffle to join a mission to the Red Planet led by eccentric billionaire Elron Branson—a journey that is equal parts Willy Wonka and adult sci-fi satire.

With the film’s 2026 release, director Sevan Najarian (SN) sat down with Bubble Blabber to discuss the arduous journey of bringing this vision to life.

The Director Behind the Mission

Najarian is no stranger to the world of boundary-pushing content. As the head of Channel 101—the birth-site of the original Rick and Morty pilot—his background in visual effects and independent production made him a natural fit for the project.

SN: “I’m a filmmaker in general. Visual effects, cartoons, that kind of thing… I’m also running Channel 101. It’s where Rick and Morty came from, the original pilot.”

His path to Mars began through a collaboration with the late Trevor Moore, who initially reached out during the pandemic.

Honoring the Legacy of Trevor Moore

The production of Mars faced its greatest challenge in 2021 with the tragic passing of Trevor Moore. While the group was devastated, Moore’s recorded dialogue was preserved, allowing the team to move forward.

SN: “That was very difficult to deal with. It was right in the middle of this, too. We thought we were done… It was very challenging trying to pick up the pieces. Thankfully, the fans really wanted to see this project finished and even donated more money.”

The fans played a pivotal role in the film’s survival. Through crowdfunding and donations spurred by Trevor’s live streams, the budget was secured.

SN: “A lot of donations came from fans. They really wanted to see the project funded… it worked out, and we had a lot more funds following Trevor’s passing. And we were able to make our budget.”

Why Animation?

While the script was originally conceived as a live-action production, the realities of the pandemic and the scale of the story necessitated a shift to animation.

SN: “Originally, it was written as live-action. But it was decided it would be expensive and more cost-effective to animate… I thought the project was perfect for animation, considering what was going on at this time. It was also much easier to draw crowds of people and objects flying into space.”

More Than Just Fan Service

While the film is packed with “Easter eggs” for longtime Whitest Kids U’ Know fans, Najarian emphasizes that Mars is an accessible, relatable story for anyone who enjoys adult comedy.

SN: “I think anyone can watch the movie and appreciate it… It’s a rom-com and I think it’s relatable for people in relationships. And it’s prophetic in a way since it deals with a billionaire who wants to take people to Mars.”

Interestingly, Najarian clarifies that the film’s billionaire antagonist, Elron Branson, wasn’t originally intended as a parody of any real-world figures.

SN: “No, this project was years in the making. Long before anyone named Elon was really in the headlines.”

Looking Ahead

For Najarian, this film marks a major milestone in a career defined by helping other creators find their voices.

SN: “This is my first feature film. And it’s interesting to work on something for years that people will get to see… It’s a long time coming, and I am hoping that audiences will enjoy it.”