Kevin Hart talks Grudge MatchPosted by Wilson Morales
December 23, 2013
Coming out this week is a new dramedy starring Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, Kim Basinger, Jon Bernthal, and Camden Gray.
Directed by Peter Segal, ‘Grudge Match’ follows Billy “The Kid” McDonnen (De Niro) and Henry “razor” Sharp (Stallone), two local Pittsburgh fighters whose fierce rivalry in the boxing ring them thrust into the national spotlight. Each had scored a victory against the other during the early 1980s during the prime of their boxing careers. However, on the eve of their decisive third match in 1983, Razor unexpectedly announced his retirement from the sport, and refused to explain why he refused to challenge The Kid one last time. Thirty years later, as boxing promoter Dante Slate, Jr. (Kevin Hart) sees his chance opportunity to make money, and makes the two former competitors a chance of a lifetime offer: the opportunity to reenter the ring and finally settle the score. Much to the objection of Razor’s trainer, Louis “Lightning” Conlon (Alan Arkin) and former love, Sally (Kim Basinger), he decides to put an end his long-standing rivalry with The Kid once and for all.
For Hart, the role he has in the film is certainly bigger than his previous non-black films (This is the End, The Five-Year Engagement, and Little Fockers) where if one blinked he wouldn’t be noticed. With the recent success of his stand up concert films (Laugh at My Pain, Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain) as well as his scene stealing performance in the blockbuster film, ‘Think Like a Man,’ Hart is can be arguable called the funniest guy in the film business right now. With a slew of films coming up in 2014 (Ride Along, About Last Night, Think Like a Man Too) as well as his BET’s successful series, ‘The Real Husbands of Hollywood,’ Hart is on a big roll with no end in sight.
Recently at New York City’s Ritz Carlton Hotel, Battery Park, Hart, along with director Peter Segal, Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro, Kim Basinger, talked about his experience in Grudge Match while participating in a press.
Kevin, you have a supporting role in the film. Can you talk about starring in the movie with the rest of the cast?
KH: I think I’m up here as a student of the game with a bunch of stars, from Sly to Bobby to Alan to Kim. I was in great company, and a kid in a candy store. I starred with people I’ve admired for a long time, and had successful careers. For me, it was about sitting back and watching how they work, and appreciating how they approach the craft. Spending o much time with these guys was a dream come true. It makes you feel good, when you’re in good company. That’s what ‘Grudge Match’ was to me.
It was great watching all these edgy characters interact with each other. What did you enjoy most about your role?
KH: I got a chance to play a jackass. I was a fast talking con artist, almost myself (laughs); very close to who I am. So it was a no-brainer for me. I got to cuss Sly, which is good. One take, I got to say ‘shit’ to his face. In my mind, I felt like I won a fight. I called my dad afterward and said, “I just said shit to Sylvester Stallone.” (laughs) It was good. Dante’s like any promoter in boxing; it’s all about the business and yourself.
What was the overall experience of working together on the set?
KH: You can’t have a great movie, if you don’t get along with people that you’re working with. Here, there was a cordial, nice, comfortable environment on the set. It wasn’t uptight. You didn’t feel like you couldn’t walk around certain people and say certain things and have conversations. That’s what I enjoy the most-the comfortable environment that we go to work in. I credit Pete, as well, as a director. He let us bring what we thought we needed to in order to make the material better.
Were you disappointed you couldn’t work out like and Stallone and De Niro?
KH: I was pissed off because I actually worked out and I never got to take my shirt off. That threw me for a loop. I was promised a semi-nude scene. It didn’t happen at all so I wasted my time, with my trainer in North Dakota.
Grudge Match hits theaters on December 25.
