Malcolm D. Lee In Talks To Direct Kevin Hart In ‘Uptown Saturday Night’ Remake by Wilson Morales
November 26, 2013
Source: Variety
After years of rumors and different casting news, it looks like director Malcolm D. Lee is in early negotiations to direct Warner Bros. and Overbrook Entertainment’s remake of “Uptown Saturday Night” starring Kevin Hart, sources tell Variety.
Will Smith and his Overbrook Entertainment partner James Lassiter are producing with “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris writing the most recent draft of the script. For years, the project was developed as a possible starring vehicle for Smith and Denzel Washington, but busy schedules for both A-listers have forced Smith to serve as a producer on the project, opening the door for Hart to take the lead.
The 1974 original buddy comedy starred Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier as two estranged friends who have their wallets stolen at a nightclub. The next morning, they learn that one of their wallets contained a winning lottery ticket, and together, they set out to find it.
Kevin Hart and John Cheng will also produce through their HartBeat banner.
The two previously worked together on the upcoming Universal comedy “Night School,” which opens in September.
Lee directed last summer’s “Girls Trip,” which went on to gross $140 million worldwide, including $115 million domestically. Other recent credits include “Barbershop: The Next Cut” and “The Best Man Holiday.”
He is repped by Paradigm and Gordon Bobb of Del Shaw.
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