Universal Pictures says production has begun on its Top Secret Untitled Lonely Island Movie.

The feature film stars Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, who are collectively known as The Lonely Island.

Co-directed by Schaffer and Taccone, and produced by Judd Apatow, the movie is set against the backdrop of the music industry.

Taccone, Samberg and Schaffer have been friends since junior high school in Berkeley, Calif. In 2000, the trio began writing, directing and producing its own brand of comedy and showcasing it on www.thelonelyisland.com. They also created popular Saturday Night Live digital shorts, such as "D**k in a Box," "Lazy Sunday" and "The Natalie Portman Rap."

The Lonely Island's debut album Incredibad was released by Universal Republic in February 2009 and is the first comedy album to reach No. 1 on iTunes.

"Not to be hyperbolic, but we are seriously zazzed about this movie," the trio said in a statement.

"I have begged these fine gentlemen to allow me to produce one of their films since Day 1," added Apatow, "and finally they decided my whining needed to come to an end."