Exclusive: Emmy and DGA Award-winning actor, director, writer and producer Ben Stiller has signed with WME in all areas.
Stiller’s breakthrough came with his Emmy-winning sketch comedy program The Ben Stiller Show (1992-1995), which helped launch the careers of Judd Apatow, David Cross, Janeane Garofalo and Bob Odenkirk.
Among his TV credits and accolades, Stiller won the DGA Award for directing all 7 parts of the Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora, which he also executive produced, receiving Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series categories.
The multihyphenate recently concluded work on the second season of the Apple TV+ series Severance, which he directs and executive produces. For the first season of the series, he won a Peabody Award and was nominated for two Emmys plus PGA and DGA Awards.
His prolific acting career has included roles in major film franchises such as Night at the Museum,...
Stiller’s breakthrough came with his Emmy-winning sketch comedy program The Ben Stiller Show (1992-1995), which helped launch the careers of Judd Apatow, David Cross, Janeane Garofalo and Bob Odenkirk.
Among his TV credits and accolades, Stiller won the DGA Award for directing all 7 parts of the Showtime limited series Escape at Dannemora, which he also executive produced, receiving Emmy nominations in the Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series categories.
The multihyphenate recently concluded work on the second season of the Apple TV+ series Severance, which he directs and executive produces. For the first season of the series, he won a Peabody Award and was nominated for two Emmys plus PGA and DGA Awards.
His prolific acting career has included roles in major film franchises such as Night at the Museum,...
- 5/8/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu has revealed the official trailer and poster for Prom Dates, the coming-of-age comedy film that will debut on the streaming service on Friday, May 3.
Prom Dates follows best friends Jess and Hannah, who made a pact at 13 to have the perfect senior prom. Despite the impending changes that college will bring over the next four years, the two are committed to honoring their prom pact.
But with only 24 hours left before the big event, everything falls apart when they break up with each of their dates. Jess and Hannah are left with one night to find new dates and live out their middle-school fantasies.
The film was directed by Kim O. Nguyen and written by D.J. Mausner (Baroness Von Sketch Show). It was produced by American High and Hartbeat.
The movie stars Julia Lester (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), Antonia Gentry (Ginny & Georgia), Kenny Ridwan (The Goldbergs...
Prom Dates follows best friends Jess and Hannah, who made a pact at 13 to have the perfect senior prom. Despite the impending changes that college will bring over the next four years, the two are committed to honoring their prom pact.
But with only 24 hours left before the big event, everything falls apart when they break up with each of their dates. Jess and Hannah are left with one night to find new dates and live out their middle-school fantasies.
The film was directed by Kim O. Nguyen and written by D.J. Mausner (Baroness Von Sketch Show). It was produced by American High and Hartbeat.
The movie stars Julia Lester (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), Antonia Gentry (Ginny & Georgia), Kenny Ridwan (The Goldbergs...
- 4/25/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Kevin Hart and his global entertainment company Hartbeat have signed with WME for representation in all areas.
Hart will continue to develop, star in and produce feature films, television, commercials, and podcasts via Hartbeat. Hart was represented by WME for comedy touring, and is now expanding his relationship with the agency. The move to WME comes as Hart and Hartbeat continue to expand their portfolio of multi-platform IP.
Hart, who was named by Billboard as the highest grossing comedian in 2023, recently announced his “Acting My Age” tour.
Last month, he received the Kennedy Center’s annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy, as the 25th recipient and the youngest honoree to date. Hart has received multiple Grammy and Emmy award nominations over his decades-spanning career and is also a two-time New York Times best selling author.
A successful entrepreneur, Hart is chairman of Hartbeat, which develops, creates, distributes, and markets...
Hart will continue to develop, star in and produce feature films, television, commercials, and podcasts via Hartbeat. Hart was represented by WME for comedy touring, and is now expanding his relationship with the agency. The move to WME comes as Hart and Hartbeat continue to expand their portfolio of multi-platform IP.
Hart, who was named by Billboard as the highest grossing comedian in 2023, recently announced his “Acting My Age” tour.
Last month, he received the Kennedy Center’s annual Mark Twain Prize for American Comedy, as the 25th recipient and the youngest honoree to date. Hart has received multiple Grammy and Emmy award nominations over his decades-spanning career and is also a two-time New York Times best selling author.
A successful entrepreneur, Hart is chairman of Hartbeat, which develops, creates, distributes, and markets...
- 4/18/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Rockmond Dunbar has joined the recurring cast of Peacock’s upcoming limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, starring and executive produced by Kevin Hart. This marks Dunbar’s first acting job since he was terminated from 9-1-1 in 2021 over not complying with the studio’s Covid vaccine mandate after his requests for a medical and religious exemptions were rejected. The actor subsequently filed a $1M lawsuit against Disney over the firing, with the case now headed to trial.
Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.
Dunbar will play Uncle Willie, who owns an autobody shop but his real job is as the top fence in the area. He joins an ensemble cast led by Hart, Samuel L. Jackson and Terrence Howard.
Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.
Dunbar will play Uncle Willie, who owns an autobody shop but his real job is as the top fence in the area. He joins an ensemble cast led by Hart, Samuel L. Jackson and Terrence Howard.
- 3/23/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Warner Bros. exec Jay Levine has joined Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat as its new chief executive officer. Levine replaces ex-ceo Thai Randolph, who exited the company in November after nearly seven years at the helm.
In his new role, Levine will oversee all aspects of the company’s activities including development, production, marketing, distribution and other exploitation of its IP and experiences.
His hire comes amid a strong period of growth for Hartbeat. Last year, the company released 23 projects across TV, film, digital and audio, nearly doubled its staff, and opened its new Los Angeles headquarters.
Levine spent over a decade at Warner Bros. and Warner Media before he departed after the Discovery merger. Most recently, he led strategy and operations for the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which included WB Pictures Group, HBO, and HBO Max Programming, WB Television Group, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, WB Animation, TBS, TNT,...
In his new role, Levine will oversee all aspects of the company’s activities including development, production, marketing, distribution and other exploitation of its IP and experiences.
His hire comes amid a strong period of growth for Hartbeat. Last year, the company released 23 projects across TV, film, digital and audio, nearly doubled its staff, and opened its new Los Angeles headquarters.
Levine spent over a decade at Warner Bros. and Warner Media before he departed after the Discovery merger. Most recently, he led strategy and operations for the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which included WB Pictures Group, HBO, and HBO Max Programming, WB Television Group, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, WB Animation, TBS, TNT,...
- 2/20/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat has appointed Jay Levine, who previously spent more than a decade at Warner Bros. and WarnerMedia, as CEO.
Levine takes over the chief executive role from Thai Randolph, who exited Hartbeat last fall after seven years with the company. As Hartbeat’s CEO, Levine will oversee all aspects of the multiplatform entertainment company’s activities including development, production, marketing, distribution and other exploitation of its intellectual property and experiences.
Most recently, Levine led strategy and operations for the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which included WB Pictures Group, HBO and HBO Max Programming, WB Television Group, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, WB Animation, TBS, TNT, DC, Consumer Products, Global Brands & Experiences, and other traditional and digital content businesses. He exited the company in October 2022 after Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia to form Warner Bros. Discovery.
During his tenure at WB, Levine worked with all main creative divisions across development,...
Levine takes over the chief executive role from Thai Randolph, who exited Hartbeat last fall after seven years with the company. As Hartbeat’s CEO, Levine will oversee all aspects of the multiplatform entertainment company’s activities including development, production, marketing, distribution and other exploitation of its intellectual property and experiences.
Most recently, Levine led strategy and operations for the WarnerMedia Studios and Networks Group, which included WB Pictures Group, HBO and HBO Max Programming, WB Television Group, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, WB Animation, TBS, TNT, DC, Consumer Products, Global Brands & Experiences, and other traditional and digital content businesses. He exited the company in October 2022 after Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia to form Warner Bros. Discovery.
During his tenure at WB, Levine worked with all main creative divisions across development,...
- 2/20/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Peacock‘s limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist has added six actors to its growing cast: Chloe Bailey (Candy Cane Lane), Melvin Gregg (Snowfall), Artrece Johnson (A Thousand One), Jalyn Hall (Genius: MLK/X), Clifton Powell (Black Lightning) and Lori Harvey. Production is set to begin next week
The series, based on the eponymous iHeartPodcast, will tell the story of how on the night of Ali’s defeat of Jerry Quarry, which came after he was banned from boxing for refusing to enter the military draft, hundreds of guests at an after-party were robbed at gunpoint, becoming one of the largest armed robberies the country has ever seen. Fight Night, set in Atlanta, will focus on the cop and the hustler, at the center of it all.
Previously announced cast includes Dexter Darden as Muhammad Ali, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson and Don Cheadle.
The series, based on the eponymous iHeartPodcast, will tell the story of how on the night of Ali’s defeat of Jerry Quarry, which came after he was banned from boxing for refusing to enter the military draft, hundreds of guests at an after-party were robbed at gunpoint, becoming one of the largest armed robberies the country has ever seen. Fight Night, set in Atlanta, will focus on the cop and the hustler, at the center of it all.
Previously announced cast includes Dexter Darden as Muhammad Ali, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Hart, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson and Don Cheadle.
- 2/8/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Don Cheadle is the latest name to team up with Kevin Hart to star in Peacock’s limited true crime series ‘Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.’
Based on the podcast ‘Fight Night,’ the series is set in Atlanta in 1970. The official description states that it will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.”
Cheadle will take on the role of the series regular Jd Hudson, described as “one of Atlanta’s first Black detectives assigned to Ali’s security detail and the robbery.”
He joins previously announced series lead Kevin Hart in the show, along with fellow cast members Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard, and Dexter Darden.
Also in news – Toni Collette set for comedy ‘A French Pursuit’
Kevin Hart is...
Based on the podcast ‘Fight Night,’ the series is set in Atlanta in 1970. The official description states that it will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.”
Cheadle will take on the role of the series regular Jd Hudson, described as “one of Atlanta’s first Black detectives assigned to Ali’s security detail and the robbery.”
He joins previously announced series lead Kevin Hart in the show, along with fellow cast members Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard, and Dexter Darden.
Also in news – Toni Collette set for comedy ‘A French Pursuit’
Kevin Hart is...
- 2/6/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Exclusive: Myles Bullock (Bmf) has landed a role in Peacock’s starry true crime limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. He joins an ensemble that includes Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson and Dexter Darden. Details as to his role are under wraps.
Created and written by Shaye Ogbonna based on the same-name podcast from iHeartPodcasts, Doghouse Pictures and Will Packer Media, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Ali’s (Darden) historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.
Ogbonna and Jason Horwitch are serving as showrunners, with Craig Brewer directing the first two episodes and exec producing alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein for Hart’s Hartbeat, Will Packer and Sabrina Wind for Will Packer Media, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson and Carrie Lieberman for iHeartPodcasts,...
Created and written by Shaye Ogbonna based on the same-name podcast from iHeartPodcasts, Doghouse Pictures and Will Packer Media, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Ali’s (Darden) historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.
Ogbonna and Jason Horwitch are serving as showrunners, with Craig Brewer directing the first two episodes and exec producing alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein for Hart’s Hartbeat, Will Packer and Sabrina Wind for Will Packer Media, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson and Carrie Lieberman for iHeartPodcasts,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Taraji P. Henson is the latest addition to the cast of the upcoming Peacock limited series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” Variety has learned.
Henson joins previously announced cast members Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard, and Dexter Darden. The role reunites Henson, Howard, and Craig Brewer, who is executive producing and directing. The three previously worked together on projects like the Oscar-winning film “Hustle & Flow” as well as the hit Fox music industry drama “Empire.”
The series is based on the podcast “Fight Night,” which was produced by Will Packer along with iHeartPodcasts and Doghouse Pictures. It will be set in Atlanta in 1970. The official description states that it will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.”
Hart will star as Chicken Man,...
Henson joins previously announced cast members Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard, and Dexter Darden. The role reunites Henson, Howard, and Craig Brewer, who is executive producing and directing. The three previously worked together on projects like the Oscar-winning film “Hustle & Flow” as well as the hit Fox music industry drama “Empire.”
The series is based on the podcast “Fight Night,” which was produced by Will Packer along with iHeartPodcasts and Doghouse Pictures. It will be set in Atlanta in 1970. The official description states that it will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.”
Hart will star as Chicken Man,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Taraji P. Henson has joined the cast of Peacock’s limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist in the series regular role of Vivian Thomas, a savvy businesswoman and Chicken Man’s (Kevin Hart) mistress.
The series reunites Henson with Hart who have collaborated on multiple projects including the films Think Like a Man and Not Easily Broken. Additionally, Fight Night also brings Henson back together with Terrence Howard and Craig Brewer, with whom she collaborated on Hustle & Flow and Empire, among other projects.
Set in Atlanta, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but an entire city’s destiny.
As Deadline exclusively revealed on Wednesday morning, Dexter Darden will star as the legendary boxer in the limited series. In addition to Henson,...
The series reunites Henson with Hart who have collaborated on multiple projects including the films Think Like a Man and Not Easily Broken. Additionally, Fight Night also brings Henson back together with Terrence Howard and Craig Brewer, with whom she collaborated on Hustle & Flow and Empire, among other projects.
Set in Atlanta, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but an entire city’s destiny.
As Deadline exclusively revealed on Wednesday morning, Dexter Darden will star as the legendary boxer in the limited series. In addition to Henson,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Dean Israelite Tapped To Direct Thriller ‘Can You Hear Me?’ For Hartbeat, The Hideaway Entertainment
Exclusive: Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and The Hideaway Entertainment will partner to produce Can You Hear Me?, a new thriller scripted by Taylor Anthony Hopkins (The Last Reverie) and Luke Kelly-Clyne. Set to direct the pic, which is currently casting, is Emmy and DGA Award nominee Dean Israelite (Little Wing).
Can You Hear Me? follows a telephone scammer who learns that his nephew has been kidnapped and must collect a sum of money to get him back. Financed by The Hideaway Entertainment, the film’s producers are Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, Patricia Braga and Luke Kelly-Clyne for Hartbeat, along with Jonathan Gray, Matthew Rhodes and Kristy Grisham for The Hideaway. Ty Walker and Kevin Healey are exec producing for Hartbeat, along with Ryan Cassells for The Hideaway. Jen Cox serves as co-producer, with production to kick off this summer.
“‘Can You Hear Me?’ furthers Hartbeat’s commitment to...
Can You Hear Me? follows a telephone scammer who learns that his nephew has been kidnapped and must collect a sum of money to get him back. Financed by The Hideaway Entertainment, the film’s producers are Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, Patricia Braga and Luke Kelly-Clyne for Hartbeat, along with Jonathan Gray, Matthew Rhodes and Kristy Grisham for The Hideaway. Ty Walker and Kevin Healey are exec producing for Hartbeat, along with Ryan Cassells for The Hideaway. Jen Cox serves as co-producer, with production to kick off this summer.
“‘Can You Hear Me?’ furthers Hartbeat’s commitment to...
- 1/31/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Up-and-comer Dexter Darden (Chang Can Dunk) has been tapped to portray all-time great boxer Muhammad Ali in Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, the forthcoming true crime limited series for Peacock. He joins an ensemble that also includes Kevin Hart, Samuel L. Jackson and Terrence Howard, as previously announced.
Created and written by Shaye Ogbonna based on the same-name podcast from iHeartPodcasts, Doghouse Pictures and Will Packer Media, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.
Ogbonna and Jason Horwitch are serving as showrunners, with Craig Brewer directing the first two episodes and exec producing alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein for Hart’s Hartbeat, Will Packer and Sabrina Wind for Will Packer Media, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson and Carrie Lieberman for iHeartPodcasts,...
Created and written by Shaye Ogbonna based on the same-name podcast from iHeartPodcasts, Doghouse Pictures and Will Packer Media, Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.
Ogbonna and Jason Horwitch are serving as showrunners, with Craig Brewer directing the first two episodes and exec producing alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein for Hart’s Hartbeat, Will Packer and Sabrina Wind for Will Packer Media, Conal Byrne, Will Pearson and Carrie Lieberman for iHeartPodcasts,...
- 1/31/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Terrence Howard (The Best Man: The Final Chapters) is set to star opposite Kevin Hart and Samuel L. Jackson in the Peacock limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
The project reunites Howard with Craig Brewer, who will direct and executive produce the first two episodes of the series. The pair previously worked together on Brewer’s 2005 feature Hustle & Flow, in which Howard starred, earning an Oscar nomination for his performance; and on the Fox series Empire, also starring Howard, on which Brewer was director-producer.
This also makes a return to Peacock for Howard who most recently appeared in the streamer’s limited series The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Peacock’s first original to break into Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings.
Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life,...
The project reunites Howard with Craig Brewer, who will direct and executive produce the first two episodes of the series. The pair previously worked together on Brewer’s 2005 feature Hustle & Flow, in which Howard starred, earning an Oscar nomination for his performance; and on the Fox series Empire, also starring Howard, on which Brewer was director-producer.
This also makes a return to Peacock for Howard who most recently appeared in the streamer’s limited series The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Peacock’s first original to break into Nielsen’s Top 10 streaming rankings.
Fight Night tells the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Samuel L. Jackson is set to star in the upcoming Peacock true crime limited series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist,” Variety has learned.
The show was ordered to series at Peacock in December with Kevin Hart attached to star and executive produce with Will Packer also executive producing. It is based on the podcast “Fight Night,” which was produced by Packer along with iHeartPodcasts and Doghouse Pictures.
The series will be set in Atlanta in 1970. The official description states that it will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.”
Jackson will star as notorious gangster Frank Moten, who was given the moniker “the Black Godfather” by New York tabloids.
Shaye Ogbonna serves as creator, and showruns alongside Jason Horwitch. Both executive produce alongside Hart,...
The show was ordered to series at Peacock in December with Kevin Hart attached to star and executive produce with Will Packer also executive producing. It is based on the podcast “Fight Night,” which was produced by Packer along with iHeartPodcasts and Doghouse Pictures.
The series will be set in Atlanta in 1970. The official description states that it will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.”
Jackson will star as notorious gangster Frank Moten, who was given the moniker “the Black Godfather” by New York tabloids.
Shaye Ogbonna serves as creator, and showruns alongside Jason Horwitch. Both executive produce alongside Hart,...
- 1/5/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Samuel L. Jackson has joined the Peacock Muhammad Ali limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. He will portray Frank Moten, a real-life underworld kingpin coined the Black Godfather by the NY tabloids.
The project reunites Jackson with Craig Brewer, who will direct the first two episodes of the show. The pair previously collaborated on the 2006 film Black Snake Moan.
The series will tell the story of how on the night of Ali’s defeat of Jerry Quarry, which came after he was banned from boxing for refusing to enter the military draft, hundreds of guests at an after-party were robbed at gunpoint, becoming one of the largest armed robberies the country has ever seen. Fight Night, set in Atlanta, will focus on the cop and the hustler, at the center of it all.
Kevin Hart will star in and produce the limited...
The project reunites Jackson with Craig Brewer, who will direct the first two episodes of the show. The pair previously collaborated on the 2006 film Black Snake Moan.
The series will tell the story of how on the night of Ali’s defeat of Jerry Quarry, which came after he was banned from boxing for refusing to enter the military draft, hundreds of guests at an after-party were robbed at gunpoint, becoming one of the largest armed robberies the country has ever seen. Fight Night, set in Atlanta, will focus on the cop and the hustler, at the center of it all.
Kevin Hart will star in and produce the limited...
- 1/5/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
The story of an infamous armed robbery after Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight is heading to streaming.
Kevin Hart will star in, and produce, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, which has landed a series order at Peacock. It is based on the eponymous podcast and comes from Shaye Ogbonna and Will Packer.
It will tell the story of how on the night of Ali’s defeat of Jerry Quarry, which came after he was banned from boxing for refusing to enter the military draft, hundreds of guests at an after-party were robbed at gunpoint, becoming one of the largest armed robberies the country has ever seen.
Shaye Ogbanna (Victoria Stevens)
The Atlanta-set limited series, which was created and written by Ogbonna, a writer on Penguin and The Chi, follow the fight and the heist introduced the world to the city dubbed “the Black Mecca,” and the cop and...
Kevin Hart will star in, and produce, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, which has landed a series order at Peacock. It is based on the eponymous podcast and comes from Shaye Ogbonna and Will Packer.
It will tell the story of how on the night of Ali’s defeat of Jerry Quarry, which came after he was banned from boxing for refusing to enter the military draft, hundreds of guests at an after-party were robbed at gunpoint, becoming one of the largest armed robberies the country has ever seen.
Shaye Ogbanna (Victoria Stevens)
The Atlanta-set limited series, which was created and written by Ogbonna, a writer on Penguin and The Chi, follow the fight and the heist introduced the world to the city dubbed “the Black Mecca,” and the cop and...
- 12/13/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Peacock and Kevin Hart are stepping into the boxing ring.
The NBCUniversal streamer has ordered a limited series titled Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist that will tell the story of an armed robbery orchestrated around Muhammad Ali’s 1970 comeback fight in Atlanta. Hart will star in the series and serve as an executive producer.
Fight Night is based on an iHeart podcast written by Jeff Keating (who also hosted) and Jim Roberts. Shaye Ogbonna (The Chi) created the TV series and will serve as showrunner along with Jason Horwitch (Peacock’s The Calling, Apple TV+’s Echo 3). The show comes from Universal Television, Will Packer Media (which also produced the podcast) and Doghouse Pictures. Craig Brewer (Dolemite Is My Name) is set to direct the first two episodes.
The series will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback...
The NBCUniversal streamer has ordered a limited series titled Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist that will tell the story of an armed robbery orchestrated around Muhammad Ali’s 1970 comeback fight in Atlanta. Hart will star in the series and serve as an executive producer.
Fight Night is based on an iHeart podcast written by Jeff Keating (who also hosted) and Jim Roberts. Shaye Ogbonna (The Chi) created the TV series and will serve as showrunner along with Jason Horwitch (Peacock’s The Calling, Apple TV+’s Echo 3). The show comes from Universal Television, Will Packer Media (which also produced the podcast) and Doghouse Pictures. Craig Brewer (Dolemite Is My Name) is set to direct the first two episodes.
The series will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback...
- 12/13/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kevin Hart is taking a leaf out of Peyton and Eli Manning’s playbook.
The comedian is to host a Manningcast-style alternate broadcast for the NBA’s new in-season tournament. NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart, which comes from Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and Hart’s own Hartbeat, will air on ESPN2 on December 9
Hart will host alongside the Plastic Cup Boyz: Joey Wells, Will Horton and Na’im Lynn with special guest appearances from athletes and celebrities, much like the Manningcast has for the NFL.
After the In-Season Tournament Championship Game broadcast, seven episodes will air throughout the season tied to marquee NBA games on ESPN platforms including the New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers in January and Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat in April.
Hart has previously appeared on the Manningcast where the brothers mocked Hart for his height and Hart retorted that the Mannings actually hate each other.
The comedian is to host a Manningcast-style alternate broadcast for the NBA’s new in-season tournament. NBA Unplugged with Kevin Hart, which comes from Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and Hart’s own Hartbeat, will air on ESPN2 on December 9
Hart will host alongside the Plastic Cup Boyz: Joey Wells, Will Horton and Na’im Lynn with special guest appearances from athletes and celebrities, much like the Manningcast has for the NFL.
After the In-Season Tournament Championship Game broadcast, seven episodes will air throughout the season tied to marquee NBA games on ESPN platforms including the New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers in January and Dallas Mavericks vs. Miami Heat in April.
Hart has previously appeared on the Manningcast where the brothers mocked Hart for his height and Hart retorted that the Mannings actually hate each other.
- 12/5/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The trailer for the upcoming streaming title ‘Lift’ has been released and it has Kevin Hart, 44, playing Cyrus Whitaker, who leads a heist team as they attempt to steal $500 million of gold from a passenger plane at 40,000 feet in the air.
‘Lift’ also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ursula Corbero, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, Sam Worthington, Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, Burn Gorman and Paul Anderson, reports People magazine.
The action-packed movie is directed by F. Gary Gray, who previously made ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Set It Off’, ‘Friday’ and ‘Straight Outta Compton’.
As per People, Hart, who is one of the producers on ‘Lift’ via his Hartbeat company, expressed excitement for the project when it was announced in September 2021. “All I can say is F*** Yeah!!!!! Finally getting to work with F Gary Gray …. This movie is a dream come true,” he wrote on Facebook at the time.
‘Lift’ also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ursula Corbero, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, Sam Worthington, Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, Burn Gorman and Paul Anderson, reports People magazine.
The action-packed movie is directed by F. Gary Gray, who previously made ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Set It Off’, ‘Friday’ and ‘Straight Outta Compton’.
As per People, Hart, who is one of the producers on ‘Lift’ via his Hartbeat company, expressed excitement for the project when it was announced in September 2021. “All I can say is F*** Yeah!!!!! Finally getting to work with F Gary Gray …. This movie is a dream come true,” he wrote on Facebook at the time.
- 11/6/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The trailer for the upcoming streaming title ‘Lift’ has been released and it has Kevin Hart, 44, playing Cyrus Whitaker, who leads a heist team as they attempt to steal $500 million of gold from a passenger plane at 40,000 feet in the air.
‘Lift’ also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ursula Corbero, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, Sam Worthington, Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, Burn Gorman and Paul Anderson, reports People magazine.
The action-packed movie is directed by F. Gary Gray, who previously made ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Set It Off’, ‘Friday’ and ‘Straight Outta Compton’.
As per People, Hart, who is one of the producers on ‘Lift’ via his Hartbeat company, expressed excitement for the project when it was announced in September 2021. “All I can say is F*** Yeah!!!!! Finally getting to work with F Gary Gray …. This movie is a dream come true,” he wrote on Facebook at the time.
‘Lift’ also stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Ursula Corbero, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, Sam Worthington, Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, Burn Gorman and Paul Anderson, reports People magazine.
The action-packed movie is directed by F. Gary Gray, who previously made ‘The Italian Job’, ‘Set It Off’, ‘Friday’ and ‘Straight Outta Compton’.
As per People, Hart, who is one of the producers on ‘Lift’ via his Hartbeat company, expressed excitement for the project when it was announced in September 2021. “All I can say is F*** Yeah!!!!! Finally getting to work with F Gary Gray …. This movie is a dream come true,” he wrote on Facebook at the time.
- 11/6/2023
- by Agency News Desk
Kevin Hart describes teaming up with Chris Rock for the documentary on their short stand-up tour as the “story about two separate journeys, but somehow align and end up at the same intersection at the top.” The duo co-headlined five shows in 2022, and Netflix’s Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only provides a peek behind the curtain into the lives of Rock and Hart.
“In a first-of-its-kind documentary, Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only will give audiences a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of two comedy titans,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “This exclusive film follows Hart and Rock as they give first-hand accounts of their early lives, struggles, triumphs, and their unbreakable brotherhood.
The 2022 five-night arena tour produced by Live Nation kicked off on July 21st at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY, followed by stops at Prudential Center in Newark, Madison Square Garden in New York,...
“In a first-of-its-kind documentary, Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only will give audiences a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of two comedy titans,” reads Netflix’s synopsis. “This exclusive film follows Hart and Rock as they give first-hand accounts of their early lives, struggles, triumphs, and their unbreakable brotherhood.
The 2022 five-night arena tour produced by Live Nation kicked off on July 21st at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY, followed by stops at Prudential Center in Newark, Madison Square Garden in New York,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Netflix will follow along Chris Rock and Kevin Hart for a week as they perform in four sold-out New York shows in a new documentary, the streamer announced Wednesday.
“Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only,” which will premiere Dec. 12 on Netflix, will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the comedians’ combined tour. Fans will go back to the beginning as Hart and Rock “give firsthand accounts of their early lives, struggles, triumphs and their unbreakable brotherhood,” according to the official logline.
“This is a story about two separate journeys, but somehow align and end up at the same intersection at the top,” Hart said in the documentary’s teaser. “I said, ‘why don’t we do something together — what do you think about doing New York?'”
“I’m excited for this week, not just because of the arena factor,” Hart continued, while Rock added, “I’m just excited to hang out with you!
“Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only,” which will premiere Dec. 12 on Netflix, will give viewers a behind-the-scenes look into the comedians’ combined tour. Fans will go back to the beginning as Hart and Rock “give firsthand accounts of their early lives, struggles, triumphs and their unbreakable brotherhood,” according to the official logline.
“This is a story about two separate journeys, but somehow align and end up at the same intersection at the top,” Hart said in the documentary’s teaser. “I said, ‘why don’t we do something together — what do you think about doing New York?'”
“I’m excited for this week, not just because of the arena factor,” Hart continued, while Rock added, “I’m just excited to hang out with you!
- 10/18/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Kevin Hart and Chris Rock embarked on a stand-up tour together last year.
The duo did five shows – Rock Hart: Only Headliners Allowed – across New York and New Jersey last July.
Netflix will now air a documentary following the pair on this tour. The doc – Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only will air on December 12.
The doc will go behind the scenes of the tour and follow the pair as they give first-hand accounts of their early lives, struggles, triumphs and their brotherhood. It is directed by Hip Hop Uncovered director Rashidi Harper.
Hart, Bryan Smiley, and Luke Kelly-Clyne will produce for Hartbeat, Rock for Cr Enterprises and Malcolm Spellman, Oby M. Okoye, and Rashidi Harper for The 51B.
Thai Randolph, Jeff Clanagan, Mike Stein, Dave Becky, and Kevin Healey will exec produce with Jc Del Barco and Ty Walker serving as co-executive producers.
CAA Media Finance and UTA brokered...
The duo did five shows – Rock Hart: Only Headliners Allowed – across New York and New Jersey last July.
Netflix will now air a documentary following the pair on this tour. The doc – Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only will air on December 12.
The doc will go behind the scenes of the tour and follow the pair as they give first-hand accounts of their early lives, struggles, triumphs and their brotherhood. It is directed by Hip Hop Uncovered director Rashidi Harper.
Hart, Bryan Smiley, and Luke Kelly-Clyne will produce for Hartbeat, Rock for Cr Enterprises and Malcolm Spellman, Oby M. Okoye, and Rashidi Harper for The 51B.
Thai Randolph, Jeff Clanagan, Mike Stein, Dave Becky, and Kevin Healey will exec produce with Jc Del Barco and Ty Walker serving as co-executive producers.
CAA Media Finance and UTA brokered...
- 10/18/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Hartbeat, Kevin Hart’s entertainment company, has hired two new senior executives.
Janina Lundy, former head of emerging audience development and marketing for Prime Video and Amazon Studios, will serve as Hartbeat’s executive vp, head of marketing and brand strategy. Adam Puchalsky, former global head of content and brand experiences at Wavemaker, will serve as executive vp, global head of Pulse, the company’s branded entertainment studio and marketing consultancy.
Before working for Amazon, Lundy worked at BET Networks, where she ran marketing campaigns, supervised partnerships and oversaw operations, marketing and business strategy for BET+. She will now be responsible for marketing Hartbeat’s brands, including Hartbeat, Laugh Out Loud and Women Write Now, as well as growing brand strategy. Puchalsky will oversee Pulse’s partnerships and brand offerings, which include creative campaign collaboration, development and execution with clients such as Sam’s Club and AT&T.
The two hires come as Hartbeat,...
Janina Lundy, former head of emerging audience development and marketing for Prime Video and Amazon Studios, will serve as Hartbeat’s executive vp, head of marketing and brand strategy. Adam Puchalsky, former global head of content and brand experiences at Wavemaker, will serve as executive vp, global head of Pulse, the company’s branded entertainment studio and marketing consultancy.
Before working for Amazon, Lundy worked at BET Networks, where she ran marketing campaigns, supervised partnerships and oversaw operations, marketing and business strategy for BET+. She will now be responsible for marketing Hartbeat’s brands, including Hartbeat, Laugh Out Loud and Women Write Now, as well as growing brand strategy. Puchalsky will oversee Pulse’s partnerships and brand offerings, which include creative campaign collaboration, development and execution with clients such as Sam’s Club and AT&T.
The two hires come as Hartbeat,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Jon Stewart, Kevin Hart, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Helms and Snoop Dogg are among the big names to win the second annual Signal Awards, celebrating the world’s best podcasts, The Hollywood Reporter can reveal exclusively.
Obama’s The Light Podcast, Hart’s Gold Minds, Louis-Dreyfus’ Wiser Than Me and Helms’ Snafu all won multiple awards, with Winfrey winning best guest — individual episode for her appearance on Obama’s podcast. The Light also won in advice and how to — limited series and specials, both the main award and listener’s choice.
Gold Minds won in the interview or talk show — shows category alongside Wiser Than Me, with the Hartbeat offering also winning in the comedy — shows category and Louis-Dreyfus’ Lemonada podcast winning for best hosts — shows.
Winfrey shares her best guest prize with Ashley Johnson from HBO’s The Last of Us, another multiple-award winning podcast, and...
Obama’s The Light Podcast, Hart’s Gold Minds, Louis-Dreyfus’ Wiser Than Me and Helms’ Snafu all won multiple awards, with Winfrey winning best guest — individual episode for her appearance on Obama’s podcast. The Light also won in advice and how to — limited series and specials, both the main award and listener’s choice.
Gold Minds won in the interview or talk show — shows category alongside Wiser Than Me, with the Hartbeat offering also winning in the comedy — shows category and Louis-Dreyfus’ Lemonada podcast winning for best hosts — shows.
Winfrey shares her best guest prize with Ashley Johnson from HBO’s The Last of Us, another multiple-award winning podcast, and...
- 10/10/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Peacock’s going all-in on Kevin Hart on July 6, 2023. The streaming service is celebrating the actor’s birthday with the launch of two of his projects: the standup special Kevin Hart: Reality Check and season three of Hart’s talk show, Hart to Heart.
Hart’s standup special was shot in front of a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas and includes his take on relationships and fame. Peacock describes the one-hour special as providing audiences with genuine humor, candid conversations, and hilarious tall-tales.
Peacock offers this synopsis: “Things are about to get real in this unforgettable night of comedy. Comedian Kevin Hart is as funny as ever as he processes his growing family, fame, mentions on Black Twitter, and more. Hart returns for his first stand-up special in three years with a bang, performing from Resort World in Las Vegas while cracking up a live sold-out crowd through candid conversation.
Hart’s standup special was shot in front of a sold-out crowd in Las Vegas and includes his take on relationships and fame. Peacock describes the one-hour special as providing audiences with genuine humor, candid conversations, and hilarious tall-tales.
Peacock offers this synopsis: “Things are about to get real in this unforgettable night of comedy. Comedian Kevin Hart is as funny as ever as he processes his growing family, fame, mentions on Black Twitter, and more. Hart returns for his first stand-up special in three years with a bang, performing from Resort World in Las Vegas while cracking up a live sold-out crowd through candid conversation.
- 6/22/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Lift, the forthcoming action comedy teaming Kevin Hart with director F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton), has pushed its Netflix premiere date to January 12, 2024, the streamer revealed on Monday. Also unveiled was a first look photo for the film, at one point set to open on August 25, 2023, which you can view above.
A heist pic written by Daniel Kunka, Emerald Fennell and Simon Kinberg, Lift watches as an international crew is recruited to prevent a terrorist attack, and must pull off the heist on a plane mid-flight.
Additional cast for the film, teased today as part of Netflix’s upcoming slate of action films and series, includes Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Úrsula Corberó, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, Sam Worthington, Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, Burn Gorman and Paul Anderson.
Producers on Lift include Hart and Bryan Smiley for Hartbeat; Matt Reeves and Adam Kassan for 6th & Idaho; and...
A heist pic written by Daniel Kunka, Emerald Fennell and Simon Kinberg, Lift watches as an international crew is recruited to prevent a terrorist attack, and must pull off the heist on a plane mid-flight.
Additional cast for the film, teased today as part of Netflix’s upcoming slate of action films and series, includes Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Vincent D’Onofrio, Úrsula Corberó, Billy Magnussen, Jacob Batalon, Jean Reno, Sam Worthington, Viveik Kalra, Yun Jee Kim, Burn Gorman and Paul Anderson.
Producers on Lift include Hart and Bryan Smiley for Hartbeat; Matt Reeves and Adam Kassan for 6th & Idaho; and...
- 5/22/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
While we wait for Lulu Wilson’s return as a teenage Nazi-slayer in The Wrath of Becky, Deadline reports today that Wilson will also be starring in the upcoming film Xeno.
Omari Hardwick (Power) and Trae Romano (Stargirl) are also on board. Matthew Loren Oates (Farewell Bender) wrote the script and is directing Xeno.
In the film, “a teenage girl befriends a terrifying alien that crash-lands in the desert near her home. As government agents close in, the girl protects her dangerous new companion while also dealing with her depressed mother and the mother’s abusive boyfriend.”
Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley and Luke Kelly-Clyne will produce for Hartbeat, alongside Oates and Shana Marie, with Thai Randolph, Kevin Healey and Ty Walker exec producing for Hartbeat.
Deadline also notes that The Henson Company will build the film’s alien creature!
Lulu Wilson got her own John Wick with the Becky franchise...
Omari Hardwick (Power) and Trae Romano (Stargirl) are also on board. Matthew Loren Oates (Farewell Bender) wrote the script and is directing Xeno.
In the film, “a teenage girl befriends a terrifying alien that crash-lands in the desert near her home. As government agents close in, the girl protects her dangerous new companion while also dealing with her depressed mother and the mother’s abusive boyfriend.”
Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley and Luke Kelly-Clyne will produce for Hartbeat, alongside Oates and Shana Marie, with Thai Randolph, Kevin Healey and Ty Walker exec producing for Hartbeat.
Deadline also notes that The Henson Company will build the film’s alien creature!
Lulu Wilson got her own John Wick with the Becky franchise...
- 4/28/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Lulu Wilson (The Wrath of Becky), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Trae Romano (Stargirl) are set to star in Xeno, a new film that writer, director and VFX Artist Matthew Loren Oates (Farewell Bender) will direct for Kevin Hart‘s Hartbeat, from his own script.
In the film poised to enter production in Albuquerque on May 8th, a teenage girl befriends a terrifying alien that crash-lands in the desert near her home. As government agents close in, the girl protects her dangerous new companion while also dealing with her depressed mother and the mother’s abusive boyfriend.
The Xeno announcement follows news that Hartbeat is developing the comedy The Backup, produced by and starring Keke Palmer, for Universal Pictures, as well as a feature adaptation of Danielle Nicolet’s short Black Karen, which emerged from Nicolet’s time as part of Hartbeat’s Women Write Now screenwriting fellowship.
Kevin Hart,...
In the film poised to enter production in Albuquerque on May 8th, a teenage girl befriends a terrifying alien that crash-lands in the desert near her home. As government agents close in, the girl protects her dangerous new companion while also dealing with her depressed mother and the mother’s abusive boyfriend.
The Xeno announcement follows news that Hartbeat is developing the comedy The Backup, produced by and starring Keke Palmer, for Universal Pictures, as well as a feature adaptation of Danielle Nicolet’s short Black Karen, which emerged from Nicolet’s time as part of Hartbeat’s Women Write Now screenwriting fellowship.
Kevin Hart,...
- 4/28/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Roku Channel’s commitment to original programming appears to be paying off. The service has announced that its new TV series featuring famed comedian Kevin Hart became its top-rated original TV series weekend premiere of all time over the weekend of March 31-April 2.
Watch Now $0 / month roku.com
“Die Hart 2: Die Harter” is now the most-watched original show on The Roku Channel, both in terms of unique views and overall minutes streamed. Celebrating the success of the show, the company and Hart announced they were already moving forward with plans for a third season.
In “Die Hart 2: Die Harter,” Kevin now wants to cement his legacy as the greatest action star of all time, after achieving his dream of becoming a bona fide action hero in “Die Hart.” He’s developed a concept for a revolutionary movie where the action is so unscripted and unexpected that even...
Watch Now $0 / month roku.com
“Die Hart 2: Die Harter” is now the most-watched original show on The Roku Channel, both in terms of unique views and overall minutes streamed. Celebrating the success of the show, the company and Hart announced they were already moving forward with plans for a third season.
In “Die Hart 2: Die Harter,” Kevin now wants to cement his legacy as the greatest action star of all time, after achieving his dream of becoming a bona fide action hero in “Die Hart.” He’s developed a concept for a revolutionary movie where the action is so unscripted and unexpected that even...
- 4/13/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Die Hart saw Kevin Hart living his dream of being an action hero in the hit comedy series that started as a launch title for the failed Quibi streaming service. The show found a new home at The Roku Channel, and much like Cobra Kai, it found new life as a success on a wider streaming platform. The show was renewed with a sequel season titled Die Hart 2: Die Harter. That season became a hit when it premiered on Roku, so prepare for season 3 which could very well follow with the title Die Hart with a Vengeance.
Deadline reports that Die Hart 2: Die Harter premiered to record numbers on The Roku Channel, which has led to a season 3 renewal. Season 2 became the No. 1 Roku Original TV series weekend premiere of all time by both unique views and streaming hour engagement. Hart released a statement that said, “Die Hart...
Deadline reports that Die Hart 2: Die Harter premiered to record numbers on The Roku Channel, which has led to a season 3 renewal. Season 2 became the No. 1 Roku Original TV series weekend premiere of all time by both unique views and streaming hour engagement. Hart released a statement that said, “Die Hart...
- 4/13/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Keke Palmer had a hell of a 2022, starring in Jordan Peele's excellent scary, funny blockbuster "Nope," earning critical praise for her portrayal of Emerald Haywood. Then, she hosted the best episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 48, proving she still had those comedic chops she'd developed during her younger years at Nickelodeon.
Even if the 2023 Oscars did completely ignore "Nope," there's no doubt Palmer came out of the whole thing with a buzz surrounding her. Which should help build anticipation for her newly announced comedy project, "The Backup."
As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Palmer will enlist the help of Kevin Hart's production skills and Hartbeat production company for the movie, which is being overseen by Universal and was announced in mid-March 2023. The actress will also produce the film, which is in the early stages of pre-production and promises to showcase Palmer's comedic sensibilities. Those were on full...
Even if the 2023 Oscars did completely ignore "Nope," there's no doubt Palmer came out of the whole thing with a buzz surrounding her. Which should help build anticipation for her newly announced comedy project, "The Backup."
As first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Palmer will enlist the help of Kevin Hart's production skills and Hartbeat production company for the movie, which is being overseen by Universal and was announced in mid-March 2023. The actress will also produce the film, which is in the early stages of pre-production and promises to showcase Palmer's comedic sensibilities. Those were on full...
- 3/26/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
Nope‘s Keke Palmer is set to produce and star in the feature comedy The Backup in development at Universal Pictures, which also has Kevin Hart on board to produce, Deadline can confirm.
Related Story Gina Gershon, Rick Hoffman And Tim Dillon Round Out Cast Of Eli Roth’s ‘Thanksgiving’ At TriStar And Spyglass Related Story Universal Moves Up 'Wicked' Part 1 Release Date Related Story 'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' Sets Peacock Premiere Date
In the film written by Chris Brew and Jordan Gouveia, player-at-heart Ben decides he’s finally ready to settle down with his childhood friend Alyssa (Palmer). But she then reveals she’s engaged to a handsome billionaire and needs him to be her best man. In return, Ben sets out to Maui with his boys to outshine her fiancé and win her back.
Hartbeat’s Bryan Smiley will produce on behalf of the company,...
Related Story Gina Gershon, Rick Hoffman And Tim Dillon Round Out Cast Of Eli Roth’s ‘Thanksgiving’ At TriStar And Spyglass Related Story Universal Moves Up 'Wicked' Part 1 Release Date Related Story 'Puss In Boots: The Last Wish' Sets Peacock Premiere Date
In the film written by Chris Brew and Jordan Gouveia, player-at-heart Ben decides he’s finally ready to settle down with his childhood friend Alyssa (Palmer). But she then reveals she’s engaged to a handsome billionaire and needs him to be her best man. In return, Ben sets out to Maui with his boys to outshine her fiancé and win her back.
Hartbeat’s Bryan Smiley will produce on behalf of the company,...
- 3/16/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Keke Palmer is teaming up with Kevin Hart for The Backup, a feature comedy set up at Universal.
Palmer will star in the project, which will be produced by Hart and his chief content officer at banner Hartbeat, Bryan Smiley. Palmer and Sharon Palmer will produce through Palmer’s production company Big Boss Entertainment.
Also joining the ranks of producers is Autumn Bailey-Ford, working through her production company Autumn Bailey Entertainment.
Written by Chris Brew and Jordan Gouveia, the script follows a player, Ben, who decides he’s finally ready to settle down with his childhood friend Alyssa (Palmer). Unfortunately, she reveals she’s engaged to a handsome billionaire and needs him to be her best man. This in turn sets in motion Ben going to the wedding in Maui with his boys to outshine her fiancé and win her back.
No director is attached to the project, which is in development.
Palmer will star in the project, which will be produced by Hart and his chief content officer at banner Hartbeat, Bryan Smiley. Palmer and Sharon Palmer will produce through Palmer’s production company Big Boss Entertainment.
Also joining the ranks of producers is Autumn Bailey-Ford, working through her production company Autumn Bailey Entertainment.
Written by Chris Brew and Jordan Gouveia, the script follows a player, Ben, who decides he’s finally ready to settle down with his childhood friend Alyssa (Palmer). Unfortunately, she reveals she’s engaged to a handsome billionaire and needs him to be her best man. This in turn sets in motion Ben going to the wedding in Maui with his boys to outshine her fiancé and win her back.
No director is attached to the project, which is in development.
- 3/16/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kevin Hart announced his latest project, Celebrity Prank Wars, on Wednesday following a viral bit joking about Nick Cannon and the various women who are mothers to his children.
The show, which premieres April 6, will see the duo take their “friendly feud” up a notch, with Hart and Cannon branching out to also include some of their famous friends.
Episodes will see stars “planning and perpetrating some of the wildest and most viral pranks on each other,” according to the network, with co-hosts Cannon and Hart selecting the winner of each prank war. Each prank is expected to be more elaborate than the next. The show’s celebrity participants will include Anthony Anderson, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Lil Duval, Big E, Fantasia, Tiffany Haddish, Taraji P. Henson, Lil Jon, Kofi Kingston, Ludacris, Joel McHale, Killer Mike, Chance the Rapper, T-Pain, Robin Thicke, T.I. and Xavier Woods.
View this post on...
The show, which premieres April 6, will see the duo take their “friendly feud” up a notch, with Hart and Cannon branching out to also include some of their famous friends.
Episodes will see stars “planning and perpetrating some of the wildest and most viral pranks on each other,” according to the network, with co-hosts Cannon and Hart selecting the winner of each prank war. Each prank is expected to be more elaborate than the next. The show’s celebrity participants will include Anthony Anderson, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Lil Duval, Big E, Fantasia, Tiffany Haddish, Taraji P. Henson, Lil Jon, Kofi Kingston, Ludacris, Joel McHale, Killer Mike, Chance the Rapper, T-Pain, Robin Thicke, T.I. and Xavier Woods.
View this post on...
- 3/8/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: The Flash star Danielle Nicolet is set to write and exec produce a feature adaptation of her short Black Karen for Kevin Hart‘s multi-platform media company, Hartbeat.
The short film, written by Nicolet and directed by Meagan Good (Prime Video’s Harlem), was created through Hartbeat’s comedic screenwriting fellowship Women Write Now, launched in 2021, which aims to champion the next generation of Black women in comedy.
Related Story FilmNation & Zq Entertainment Strike Feature Film Development Fund Deal, Unveil First Project Related Story Kevin Hart To EP Workplace Comedy 'The Regal' From Brad Copeland & Hartbeat In Works At NBC Related Story Kevin Hart's 'Die Hart' Series Refashioned As 'Die Hart The Movie' For Prime Video
Pic tells the story of Karen Johnson, a Black woman on the verge. Her work, home and personal life are falling to pieces while she’s plagued by anxiety. After...
The short film, written by Nicolet and directed by Meagan Good (Prime Video’s Harlem), was created through Hartbeat’s comedic screenwriting fellowship Women Write Now, launched in 2021, which aims to champion the next generation of Black women in comedy.
Related Story FilmNation & Zq Entertainment Strike Feature Film Development Fund Deal, Unveil First Project Related Story Kevin Hart To EP Workplace Comedy 'The Regal' From Brad Copeland & Hartbeat In Works At NBC Related Story Kevin Hart's 'Die Hart' Series Refashioned As 'Die Hart The Movie' For Prime Video
Pic tells the story of Karen Johnson, a Black woman on the verge. Her work, home and personal life are falling to pieces while she’s plagued by anxiety. After...
- 3/2/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil are getting into business with Sony Pictures Entertainment. The producing partners have signed a multi-year first-look development and production deal for film and TV via their Mortal Media production banner.
Under the first-look pact, Mortal Media will develop and produce a range of projects across film and television, in both the scripted and non-scripted space. Feature films and scripted television projects will focus on the intersection of genre and comedy, while the non-scripted slate will be dedicated to sports-related projects. Former NFL center Kalil and NBA All-Star Griffin bring a unique perspective to the world of sports, having both had successful careers as professional athletes.
The deal comes on the heels of the company’s recently released Apple TV+ sci-fi dramedy series Hello Tomorrow!, starring Emmy winner Billy Crudup.
“We always look for opportunities to work with new talent with fresh ideas and couldn...
Under the first-look pact, Mortal Media will develop and produce a range of projects across film and television, in both the scripted and non-scripted space. Feature films and scripted television projects will focus on the intersection of genre and comedy, while the non-scripted slate will be dedicated to sports-related projects. Former NFL center Kalil and NBA All-Star Griffin bring a unique perspective to the world of sports, having both had successful careers as professional athletes.
The deal comes on the heels of the company’s recently released Apple TV+ sci-fi dramedy series Hello Tomorrow!, starring Emmy winner Billy Crudup.
“We always look for opportunities to work with new talent with fresh ideas and couldn...
- 2/28/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Pamela Duckworth, the head of Fubo Sports Network, is one of the rare examples of women rising to the top in sports media. She credits her career success to “having a thick skin” in the male-dominated industry.
“You have to have a thick skin because when you’re doing sports, especially if you’re doing live sports, everything is coming at you so quickly that you just have to roll with it,” she told TheWrap for this week’s Office With a View. “You have to be like, ‘Ok, I can fix this’ and be solution-oriented.”
Duckworth, who also oversees the Ott streamer’s original sports programming, noted that when she started in her career, she was “one of like two or three females” working on car racing.
Also Read:
Atmosphere CEO Blake Sabatinelli’s Advice for a Thriving Career: ‘Raise Your Hand’
“I worked my way up and I...
“You have to have a thick skin because when you’re doing sports, especially if you’re doing live sports, everything is coming at you so quickly that you just have to roll with it,” she told TheWrap for this week’s Office With a View. “You have to be like, ‘Ok, I can fix this’ and be solution-oriented.”
Duckworth, who also oversees the Ott streamer’s original sports programming, noted that when she started in her career, she was “one of like two or three females” working on car racing.
Also Read:
Atmosphere CEO Blake Sabatinelli’s Advice for a Thriving Career: ‘Raise Your Hand’
“I worked my way up and I...
- 2/24/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Behind Kevin Hart’s growing media empire is a veteran marketing exec on a mission to empower, educate, enlighten and entertain through storytelling. Hartbeat CEO Thai Randolph, who previously worked at companies including Sony and Facebook, last year oversaw the merger of Laugh Out Loud and Hartbeat Productions and led the combined company’s 100 million capital raise. Now, she’s working to continue the momentum following a year of growth and change.
With dozens of projects in the works — including a popular YouTube sports interview series (Cold as Balls), a bit of drama (Netflix’s True Story), and a weekly SiriusXM show (Straight From The Hart with Kevin Hart) — their goal under the new banner is to meet consumers wherever they are.
“We’re not pigeonholing ourselves into one brand or one segment of comedy,” Randolph says. “We strive to do really high-impact entertainment. Someone who worked with us in...
With dozens of projects in the works — including a popular YouTube sports interview series (Cold as Balls), a bit of drama (Netflix’s True Story), and a weekly SiriusXM show (Straight From The Hart with Kevin Hart) — their goal under the new banner is to meet consumers wherever they are.
“We’re not pigeonholing ourselves into one brand or one segment of comedy,” Randolph says. “We strive to do really high-impact entertainment. Someone who worked with us in...
- 1/13/2023
- by Ashley Cullins
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Kevin Hart’s Die Hart series is being refashioned as a movie for Prime Video.
The satirical action-comedy, starring Hart, John Travolta, Nathalie Emmanuel, Josh Hartnett, and Jean Reno, will launch worldwide on February 24 and screen in select cinemas in South Africa via distributor Empire.
The movie is a condensed version of the Hartbeat-produced series which follows Ride Along and Fatherhood star Hart playing a fictionalized version of himself, as he sets out to pivot away from being pigeon-holed as a comedy wingman to being taken seriously as an action movie star. Kevin Hart attends ‘action hero school’ run by Ron Wilcox, played by Travolta, where he attempts to learn the ropes on how to become one of the industry’s most coveted action stars.
The original 10-episode series launched on Quibi in the U.S. back in 2020. Roku picked up those rights when it acquired Quibi assets and...
The satirical action-comedy, starring Hart, John Travolta, Nathalie Emmanuel, Josh Hartnett, and Jean Reno, will launch worldwide on February 24 and screen in select cinemas in South Africa via distributor Empire.
The movie is a condensed version of the Hartbeat-produced series which follows Ride Along and Fatherhood star Hart playing a fictionalized version of himself, as he sets out to pivot away from being pigeon-holed as a comedy wingman to being taken seriously as an action movie star. Kevin Hart attends ‘action hero school’ run by Ron Wilcox, played by Travolta, where he attempts to learn the ropes on how to become one of the industry’s most coveted action stars.
The original 10-episode series launched on Quibi in the U.S. back in 2020. Roku picked up those rights when it acquired Quibi assets and...
- 1/12/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Hartbeat, Kevin Hart’s multiplatform media and entertainment company, has hired four senior execs to build out its leadership team across divisions.
Joining the company are former Attn: executive Sara Abdulahi as senior VP of people and culture; NBCUniversal alum Annie Balagot as senior VP of global media; Neil Wright, who hails from BuzzFeed’s Complex Networks, as VP of live and experiential; and industry veteran Namon Jones as VP of brand partnerships.
The company also promoted Tina Maher to SVP of brand and franchise management; she previously served as VP, brand partnerships and monetization.
Hartbeat is currently in development or production on more than 70 projects and in 2023 is gearing up to launch a series of new live comedy experiences. The company said the new hires will accelerate growth across the company’s three divisions: Hartbeat Studios, which finances, develops and produces content; Hartbeat Media, which manages events and distribution deals; and Pulse,...
Joining the company are former Attn: executive Sara Abdulahi as senior VP of people and culture; NBCUniversal alum Annie Balagot as senior VP of global media; Neil Wright, who hails from BuzzFeed’s Complex Networks, as VP of live and experiential; and industry veteran Namon Jones as VP of brand partnerships.
The company also promoted Tina Maher to SVP of brand and franchise management; she previously served as VP, brand partnerships and monetization.
Hartbeat is currently in development or production on more than 70 projects and in 2023 is gearing up to launch a series of new live comedy experiences. The company said the new hires will accelerate growth across the company’s three divisions: Hartbeat Studios, which finances, develops and produces content; Hartbeat Media, which manages events and distribution deals; and Pulse,...
- 1/4/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
“Bmf” returns for Season 2 on Friday, January 6 at midnight on the Starz app, as well as its streaming and on-demand platforms, the network has announced. “Bmf” also returns internationally on the Lionsgate+ premium streaming platform in the UK and Brazil. On linear, it will debut on Starz at 8 p.m. Et in the U.S. and Canada.
The Detroit-based family drama chronicles the unconventional journey to success of the Flenory brothers, Demetrius Flenory (“Big Meech”) and Terry Flenory (“Southwest Tee”). The duo rose from the depths of poverty, navigating the war on drugs in Detroit and became game changers in hip-hop and culture. Throughout the new season, the Flenory brothers work toward the pursuit of their American dream.
“Bmf” stars Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., the son of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Myles Truitt, Steve Harris, Kelly Hu, La La Anthony, with Detroit rapper Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight,...
The Detroit-based family drama chronicles the unconventional journey to success of the Flenory brothers, Demetrius Flenory (“Big Meech”) and Terry Flenory (“Southwest Tee”). The duo rose from the depths of poverty, navigating the war on drugs in Detroit and became game changers in hip-hop and culture. Throughout the new season, the Flenory brothers work toward the pursuit of their American dream.
“Bmf” stars Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., the son of Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory, Da’Vinchi, Russell Hornsby, Michole Briana White, Myles Truitt, Steve Harris, Kelly Hu, La La Anthony, with Detroit rapper Arkeisha “Kash Doll” Knight,...
- 11/29/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Kevin Hart’s online sports talk series “Cold as Balls” will be back for Season 7 on Tuesday, featuring athletic guests including Dwight Howard, John Wall, Allen Iverson, Austin Ekeler, Kelsey Plum and Patrick Beverley, TheWrap can exclusively announce.
The show, from Hart’s banner Hartbeat and Obb Pictures and presented by Old Spice, will premiere on the actor-comedian’s own YouTube channel Lol! Network.
Per the show’s logline for its seventh season, “Cold as Balls” will bring viewers back to the signature locker room (and ice bath) where Hart explores deeper conversations with his guests, leading to jaw-dropping revelations from the biggest names and personalities in sports. The host will deliver the chilling, hard-hitting questions that have since catapulted the series to over 1.3 billion views across the platform, and help fans get to know their favorite sports stars better.
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The show, from Hart’s banner Hartbeat and Obb Pictures and presented by Old Spice, will premiere on the actor-comedian’s own YouTube channel Lol! Network.
Per the show’s logline for its seventh season, “Cold as Balls” will bring viewers back to the signature locker room (and ice bath) where Hart explores deeper conversations with his guests, leading to jaw-dropping revelations from the biggest names and personalities in sports. The host will deliver the chilling, hard-hitting questions that have since catapulted the series to over 1.3 billion views across the platform, and help fans get to know their favorite sports stars better.
Also Read:
Will Smith Says He Will ‘Completely Understand’ if...
- 11/28/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
Kevin Hart’s “Die Hart” action-hero spoof is bringing in some fresh faces for Season 2 of the Roku original comedy: John Cena, Ben Schwartz and Paula Pell have joined the cast of “Die Hart 2: Die Harter,” the streaming company announced.
In addition to the new cast, Nathalie Emmanuel will reprise her role in Season 2. Eric Appel returns to direct with Tripper Clancy returning as writer. Production of “Die Hart 2: Die Harter” has begun in Atlanta. The series will stream free (with ads) on the Roku Channel but a premiere date has not been set.
In “Die Hart” Season 1, which co-starred John Travolta, Hart played a fictionalized version of himself who ultimately achieved his dream of becoming a bona-fide action hero. In the second season, Hart now wants to cement his legacy as the greatest action star of all time. He’s developed a concept for a revolutionary movie...
In addition to the new cast, Nathalie Emmanuel will reprise her role in Season 2. Eric Appel returns to direct with Tripper Clancy returning as writer. Production of “Die Hart 2: Die Harter” has begun in Atlanta. The series will stream free (with ads) on the Roku Channel but a premiere date has not been set.
In “Die Hart” Season 1, which co-starred John Travolta, Hart played a fictionalized version of himself who ultimately achieved his dream of becoming a bona-fide action hero. In the second season, Hart now wants to cement his legacy as the greatest action star of all time. He’s developed a concept for a revolutionary movie...
- 9/21/2022
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Sundance Institute and Hartbeat have selected Mayanna Berrin, Kiana Butler Jabangwe and Danielle Solomon as the recipients of the “Women Write Now” fellowship for Black female comedic screenwriters.
Logan Browning, Tika Sumpter and Nicole Byer have signed on to direct three short films written by the fellows, which will debut at a special exhibition during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Additionally, the fellows have been awarded a one-year first-look deal with Hartbeat, the multi-platform media company founded by Kevin Hart. Script mentors will include Leigh Davenport (“Run the World”), Kay Oyegun (“This Is Us”), and Yamara Taylor (“Black-ish”). The company’s Head of Film, Candace Cherry Wilson and its VP of TV Development Tiffany Brown will serve as creative advisors at the program’s career development lab.
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‘Last Night in Soho’s’ Thomasin McKenzie to Star in Sundance Now Series ‘Totally Completely Fine’
They are joined by Producer Stephanie Allain,...
Logan Browning, Tika Sumpter and Nicole Byer have signed on to direct three short films written by the fellows, which will debut at a special exhibition during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Additionally, the fellows have been awarded a one-year first-look deal with Hartbeat, the multi-platform media company founded by Kevin Hart. Script mentors will include Leigh Davenport (“Run the World”), Kay Oyegun (“This Is Us”), and Yamara Taylor (“Black-ish”). The company’s Head of Film, Candace Cherry Wilson and its VP of TV Development Tiffany Brown will serve as creative advisors at the program’s career development lab.
Also Read:
‘Last Night in Soho’s’ Thomasin McKenzie to Star in Sundance Now Series ‘Totally Completely Fine’
They are joined by Producer Stephanie Allain,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and the Sundance Institute today named Mayanna Berrin (Power Dynamics), Kiana Butler Jabangwe (Night Off) and Danielle Solomon (Hey Boo) as the recipients of this year’s Women Write Now comedic screenwriting fellowship, designed to elevate the next generation of Black women in comedy.
The Fellows, whose short film scripts were selected from a pool of hundreds submissions, will now further develop their material under the guidance of Hartbeat’s panel of script mentors and creative advisors including Leigh Davenport (Starz’s Run the World), Kay Oyegun (NBC’s This Is Us) and Yamara Taylor (ABC’s Black-ish). As part of the development process, each will also participate in an immersive career development lab, where they’ll receive mentorship from creative advisors including Hartbeat’s Head of Film Candice Wilson Cherry and VP, TV Development Tiffany Brown, as well as such industry veterans as Dear White People EP Stephanie Allain,...
The Fellows, whose short film scripts were selected from a pool of hundreds submissions, will now further develop their material under the guidance of Hartbeat’s panel of script mentors and creative advisors including Leigh Davenport (Starz’s Run the World), Kay Oyegun (NBC’s This Is Us) and Yamara Taylor (ABC’s Black-ish). As part of the development process, each will also participate in an immersive career development lab, where they’ll receive mentorship from creative advisors including Hartbeat’s Head of Film Candice Wilson Cherry and VP, TV Development Tiffany Brown, as well as such industry veterans as Dear White People EP Stephanie Allain,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Hartbeat is expanding its senior leadership team, adding former Disney and NBCUniversal executive Brian Price to head Pulse, its new branded content studio, and Candisse Williamson from Skybound Entertainment and The Madison Square Garden Company to run business and legal affairs.
The company also upped Mike Stein to EVP, Head of TV & Audio, reporting to President & Chief Content Officer, Bryan Smiley, and Monti Sehmi to EVP, Head of Finance and Operations.
Hartbeat was formed by the merger Hart’s Laugh Out Loud and HartBeat Productions, bolstered by a 100 million capital raise. It said today it plans to grow its executive team across its three main divisions – Hartbeat Studios, which finances, develops and produces content; Hartbeat Media, events and distribution; and Pulse, a branded content and entertainment studio and consultancy.
Price joins Hartbeat as SVP, Head of Branded Content & Creative Partnerships overseeing Pulse to develop creative strategies for new and existing brand partners.
The company also upped Mike Stein to EVP, Head of TV & Audio, reporting to President & Chief Content Officer, Bryan Smiley, and Monti Sehmi to EVP, Head of Finance and Operations.
Hartbeat was formed by the merger Hart’s Laugh Out Loud and HartBeat Productions, bolstered by a 100 million capital raise. It said today it plans to grow its executive team across its three main divisions – Hartbeat Studios, which finances, develops and produces content; Hartbeat Media, events and distribution; and Pulse, a branded content and entertainment studio and consultancy.
Price joins Hartbeat as SVP, Head of Branded Content & Creative Partnerships overseeing Pulse to develop creative strategies for new and existing brand partners.
- 8/11/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Kevin Hart is behind the two-part documentary event “Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution,” set to premiere on the A&e Network on Wednesday, June 29 at 9 p.m.
The documentary, produced by Hart’s Hartbeat and Time Studios, explores the progression of Black comedy across time, tracing how comedians have used pointed humor to articulate the Black experience in America and expose, challenge and ridicule society’s injustices. From Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley of the civil rights movement to modern-day comedians and creators like Key & Peele, Issa Rae, Amber Ruffin and Tiffany Haddish, the four-hour documentary celebrates the history and under-appreciated legacy that Black comedians had in driving social change across the 20th and 21st centuries.
Featuring interviews with some of the greatest comedy minds of all time as well as an extensive collection of archival material, the two-part event reveals the personal stories and tribulations faced by...
The documentary, produced by Hart’s Hartbeat and Time Studios, explores the progression of Black comedy across time, tracing how comedians have used pointed humor to articulate the Black experience in America and expose, challenge and ridicule society’s injustices. From Redd Foxx and Moms Mabley of the civil rights movement to modern-day comedians and creators like Key & Peele, Issa Rae, Amber Ruffin and Tiffany Haddish, the four-hour documentary celebrates the history and under-appreciated legacy that Black comedians had in driving social change across the 20th and 21st centuries.
Featuring interviews with some of the greatest comedy minds of all time as well as an extensive collection of archival material, the two-part event reveals the personal stories and tribulations faced by...
- 5/24/2022
- by Wilson Chapman and Carson Burton
- Variety Film + TV
Kevin Hart’s multi-platform media company Hartbeat today announced the return of its screenwriting fellowship and talent development initiative Women Write Now, created to champion the next generation of Black women in comedy through mentorship, advocacy, production and exhibition. The fellowship developed in partnership with the Sundance Institute will support three writers in developing short comedic scripts under the guidance of some of the most influential Black women in comedy.
With the support of Hartbeat executives and veteran industry mentors, this year’s fellowship recipients will earn the opportunity to bring their projects to life at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, where they will premiere at a private screening. Following their premiere, the films will be distributed across HartBeat’s Lol Network. Following the fellowship, the selected writers will also receive a year-long first-look deal with Hartbeat to submit original projects for production consideration with Hartbeat, and distribution across its Lol Network.
With the support of Hartbeat executives and veteran industry mentors, this year’s fellowship recipients will earn the opportunity to bring their projects to life at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, where they will premiere at a private screening. Following their premiere, the films will be distributed across HartBeat’s Lol Network. Following the fellowship, the selected writers will also receive a year-long first-look deal with Hartbeat to submit original projects for production consideration with Hartbeat, and distribution across its Lol Network.
- 5/19/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
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