Fresh off the success of STXfilms’The Upside, which grossed more than $100 million at the domestic box office,Kevin Harthas signed on to produce and star in the studio’s high-concept superhero comedyNight Wolf, Collider has learned.
STX acquiredNight Wolfas a pitch fromDetective PikachuscreenwritersDan HernandezandBenji Samit. The premise, which has drawn comparisons toMeet the Parents, finds Hart meeting his future father-in-law for the first time, only to discover he is secretly the superhero known as the Night Wolf.
That’s a pretty clever pitch, as it’s easy to see that movie in your head. Hart is perfect for theBen Stillerrole, and I can’t wait to see who’s cast opposite him as the Night Wolf, though I’m personally hoping forSamuel L. Jackson, as he and Hart seem like they’d make a great comic pairing.
Earlier this year, STX Entertainment announced it would partner with HartBeat Productions to produce two new comedy projects, with an eye for Hart to star in both.Night Wolfmarks the third project Hart is developing with the studio, as STX previously announcedBlack Fridayand an untitled romantic comedy. Hart is producing Night Wolf, and STX executiveDrew Simonwill oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
“After we acquiredNight Wolf, we submitted it to Kevin Hart and the Team at HartBeat hoping they would love it as much as we did. It is a big, broad comedy and the idea is great fun and perfectly matched with Kevin’s comedic talent. We are thrilled to be working on what will now be our fourth film together,” said STXfilms chairmanAdam Fogelson.
“I am excited to be working with our friends at STX again. They brought us a great project withNight Wolf. I instantly fell in love with this pitch about an everyday guy who is meeting his in-laws for the first time and unwittingly discovers his dad to be is secretly a superhero,” said Hart.
STXfilms’ upcoming slate include theJennifer Lopez-led revenge movieHustlerson Sept. 13 and theChadwick Bosemanaction-thriller21 Bridgeson Nov. 22, as well asGuy Ritchie’s star-studded crime movieThe Gentlemenon Jan. 24, among others.
Hart, who will next star inJumanji: The Next Level, is represented by UTA and 3 Arts, the latter of which also represents Hernandez and Samit along with attorney Michael Auerbach.
