Kevin Hart will produce and may star in two comedy films in a partnership with STXfilms via his HartBeat Productions, STXfilms announced Wednesday.
Hart’s “The Upside” at STX, co-produced with Lantern Entertainment, hit number one at the box office in early January and has grossed $46.6 million domestically since its release. The film, a remake of the 2011 French box office hit “The Intouchables,” showed a more dramatic side for Hart.
Hart and HartBeat’s president of production John Cheng will produce both films. Carli Haney will oversee for HartBeat and Drew Simon will oversee for STXfilms.
“It’s crystal clear audiences love Kevin and they want to see him in a variety of roles,” STXfilms chairman Adam Fogelson said in a statement. “This partnership allows STXfilms to take the successful collaboration we started with THE UPSIDE and extend it to new projects that further build on our mission to work with the best in the business to grow our profitable business model.”
Hart, who pulled out of hosting the Oscars in the wake of a scandal over his past homophobic tweets, has kept especially busy this January. He’ll next star in “Fatherhood” at Sony, a dramatic adaptation of a memoir called “Two Kisses for Maddy” directed by Paul Weitz. And he’ll also partner with Lionsgate and Hasbro on a movie about the board game “Monopoly,” reuniting with his longtime collaborator Tim Story.
Up next on STXfilms’ slate include the Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell starring “The Best of Enemies,” the animated “Uglydolls” and the Diane Keaton-led “Poms.”
Hart is represented by UTA, 3 Arts, and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin and Dunham.
Variety was first to report.