Kevin Hart has found his next starring role. The comedian is set to star in the English-language remake of the Korean box office sensation, Extreme Job. Universal Pictures are producing, while Girls Trip writer Tracy Oliver will pen the script.
The film follows a team of narcotics detectives who go undercover. However, this isn’t the exciting job they may have been expecting, as it’s an undercover gig at a fried chicken joint to stake out an organised crime gang. Things then take an unexpected turn when the detectives’ chicken recipe suddenly transforms the rundown restaurant into the hottest spot in town.
In Korea, the film has grossed the equivalent of $127 million, making it the highest grossing film in Korean box office history. The challenge for Universal is translating that premise into a big budget studio comedy. There’s definitely potential there, and it likely calls for an ensemble cast alongside Hart. Hopefully they can stack this with a bunch of great comedic actors.
Interestingly, Hart has already had success this year with remaking a foreign favourite. The Upside, a remake of the French comedy-drama The Intouchables, is currently the 7th highest grossing film at the American box office this year. It’s reeled in $108 million, and while bigger upcoming releases will soon overtake it, that’s an impressive haul for that sort of non-franchise film.
Universal, Hart, and CJ Entertainment – the producers of the original Extreme Job – are collaborating here. The trio is also teaming up for another Korean remake, the female-driven dramedy Bye, Bye, Bye, which is based on the 2011 film Sunny. Amy Aniobi is writing the script there.
Hart could do with an out-an-out comedy hit, and maybe Extreme Job is it. We’ll have to wait and see how this thing develops. As mentioned, this premise calls for a relatively big cast, so there’s a chance to fill the film with a host of talented comics and go for broke. If Oliver can write a script close to the acclaimed Girls Trip, this could be another surprise hit.
#Peace.Love.ExtremeJob
