According to Deadline, Netflix and Sony Pictures have officially teamed up for a new licensing deal for the worldwide distribution rights to the upcoming drama film titled Fatherhood. Originally slated for an April 2021 theatrical release, the Kevin Hart-led feature is now set to make its debut on Netflix on June 18, just in time for Father’s Day. In addition, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions has also signed on to produce the project.
This project also marks the latest collaboration between Hart and Netflix after Hart’s HartBeat Productions signed an overall deal with the streamer earlier this year. However, Fatherhood won’t be part of this exclusive deal as it will be independently licensed.
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Fatherhood is written and directed by Paul Weitz from a screenplay he co-wrote with Dana Stevens. It stars Kevin Hart (The Upside), Alfre Woodard (Cross Creek), Lil Rel Howery (Get Out), DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It), Anthony Carrigan (Barry), and Paul Reiser (Mad About You).
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Based on Matthew Logelin’s 2011 memoir titled Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love, the story follows Logelin as he and his daughter Madeline move to India for two months when his wife and her mother Liz and their experiences living in another state, along with Logelin’s struggles with solo parenting so early into Maddy’s life. Carrigan has signed on to star as Logelin’s quirky best friend.
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Fatherhood is produced by Hart, Marty Bowen, David Beaubaire, and Peter Kiernan. It is executive produced by Betsy Danbury, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth, Bryan Smiley, Jaclyn Huntling Swatt, Isaac Klausner, Channing Tatum, and Reid Carolin.
Lifetime had previously optioned the rights to the novel in 2012 for a television film adaptation, but nothing ever came of the project and now Sony Pictures has gained the rights to the project and have not only acquired Hart to star but have also signed on Paul Weitz (Mozart in the Jungle) to direct and rewrite a majority of Dana Stevens’ (City of Angels) screenplay.
(Photo by Leon Bennett/WireImage via Getty Images)
