Kevin Hart talks Let Me ExplainBy Wilson Morales
July 1, 2013
Within a five year time period, comedian and actor Kevin Hart has gone from being another comedian with not-so-memorable roles in ‘Soul Plane”, “In The Mix” and “Fool’s Gold” in his credits to being the funniest guy on the planet right now. When his last concert film, “Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain” grossed $7.7 million at the box office, Hollywood took notice, especially given the small amount of theaters it played at.
Not only was Hart’s successful with that film, but he was also the scene stealer of Will Packer‘s “Think Like a Man,” which grossed over $90 million at the box office and propelling other studios to start greenlight more African-American films.
Along with appearances in “Little Fockers,” “The Five-Year Engagement,” and this year’s all-star comedy film “This Is The End,” along with his hit TV series on BET, “Real Husbands of Hollywood,” Hart is just everywhere on the planet!
Now comes his latest film project, another stand-up concert film, “Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain,” which was directed by Leslie Small and Tim Story. The film features stops at Vancouver, Toronto, Copenhagen, and other parts of the world before making his stop at the infamous Madison Square Garden, where his show was sold out. He joined the only five other comedians (Andrew Dice Clay, Dane Cook, Chris Rock, Russell Peters and Eddie Murphy) who have sold out The Garden.
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Hart talks about “Let Me Explain,” as well as some of his upcoming projects, including “Think Like a Man 2,” and “Ride Along” with Ice Cube.
Were you aware that part of your concert was going to be shown as film?
Kevin Hart: Yes. That was the goal of doing it. This is part of my company, Hartbeat Productions. I had been doing the standup comedy tour knowing that the last stop was going to be Madison Square Garden. The goal was to film it and release it theatrically.
Was it a challenge choosing what part of the show you wanted to be filmed?
KH: For the standup portion, all of it is in there. I think the hardest part was choosing what part of the fan interaction, while I was on the road, would be included. That was a tough part.
It’s rare these days for a studio to showcase a standup comedy concert on the big screen, and now this is your second one after “Laugh at the my Pain.” This must make very happy to be a rare field of comedians who have had this opportunity?
KH: It’s a good feeling. I’m trying to continue what others did before me. I feel we had stepped away from the concert aspect of entertainment. Eddie Murphy did with “Raw” and “Delirious” and was huge when he did it and no one else is doing it. I’m trying to be that guy who does it and bring it back. If I’m successful at it, it can be huge for me and other comedians as well.
A lot of you is displayed in the film, as well as your BET TV show in terms of what you say and how you interact with people. What aspect of your life don’t we see?
KH: Not a lot. I think my fans expect me to be real on a certain level. I’m not holding back. On stage you get to see everything in all shapes and sizes and it’s genuine. When people relate, they root for you because you’re not putting on an act. You’re not doing what you want people see you do. You’re doing what’s real and what comes natural to you. That’s what I’m doing.
The film is not only about you, but your team is also featured in there as well. How nice is it to have a good unit around you?
KH: It’s a great feeling. You get to be humble when you have great people around you. They keep you grounded and down to earth.
How much goes into developing and growing the Kevin Hart brand outside the states?
KH: The goal was to go internationally. This is not a local success. With so many countries and so many places all over the world, the goal was to go to some of these places and be higher.
You just finished shooting “Think Like A Man Too”. so what can expect your character this time?
KH: My character gets funnier. Of course, I’ve always been in the middle of nonsense and with this film. I’m the reason why problems happen. People are going to love and appreciate the depths that my character goes through in the story. It’s funny but there’s a message behind it.
The first film was instrumental in getting other studios to start greenlighting more African American films and we have “The Best Man Holiday” coming up along with “Baggage Claim”, “Black Nativity” and many more.
KH: That’s really great. You want everyone to shine. We’re in a good position putting out quality projects. If you put out good content, people will come out and continue to support us. Right now, that’s what we are doing.
How much fun did you have working with Ice Cube in “Ride Along”?
KH: It was a good time. Cube and I are close. Along with director Tim Story and producer Will Packer, we came up with good content. It’s been a while since you have seen an action comedy like the one we completed. There’s a demand for it and when you see the chemistry that me and Cube have, it’s going to be crazy.
Again, how much fun was it appearing in “This is the End” with an all-star roster of comedians?
KH: That was a lot of fun. Seth (Rogen) is a friend of mine and so is James (Franco) and Jonah (Hill). We’re all peers. To go in and contribute to the film wasn’t even work. It was fun.
With so much going on in your life, what keeps you grounded?
KH: My kids and the fact that there is a higher level of responsibility behind all this stuff. I’m going out, having fun, and living life but at the end of the day, I’m a dad. It’s about supporting my kids and making sure they are set to win. Right now, believe it or not, I do believe we are.
Was it a blast to close out ABFF 2013?
KH: It’s huge. I’ve been there before, but to close it out is a big deal and the fact that the festival gave me the opportunity to do it is even a bigger deal. My relationships there are great and I will continue to support the festival because they’ve done and given support to me.
What’s a good reason to see “Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain”?
KH: I want people to see the film because they will see where I am in my life and where I am in my career. I think that when you walk away from this movie, you will respect me more because you see what I’m saying and who I am. It’s also funny from start to finish.
What else do you have coming up?
KH: I have “Ride Along”, “About Last Night”, “Grudematch”, the next season of “Real Husbands of Hollywood”, and “Think Like a Man 2” and I start a “Best Man” film, where I play a guy who provides “best man services” to other guys who don’t have a close guy friend to stand by their side among the wedding party on their big day.
