Kevin Hart has signed on to star in “Fatherhood” at Sony Pictures, an adaptation of the memoir “Two Kisses for Maddy,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Paul Weitz (“About a Boy”) is directing the film and wrote the current draft of the screenplay from Dana Stevens, who adapted the 2011 memoir “Two Kisses for Maddy.”
“Fatherhood” is based on a true story and the book by Matt Logelin, whose wife died shortly after childbirth, leaving him to raise their daughter, Maddy, on his own.
“When I started reading this script, I was immediately touched and brought to tears,” Hart said in a statement. “At HartBeat, we seek to provide the audience with stories that evoke true emotions and this story does just that. Our hope is to bring honor to the Logelin family, and we are thrilled to be working with Sony, Paul, Temple Hill and Free Association on such an incredible project.”
This will be Hart’s next film after the “Jumanji” sequel, though earlier this week he became attached to a “Monopoly” movie with his longtime collaborator, Tim Story, at Lionsgate. He’s coming off the box office success of the dramatic-comedy “The Upside” with Bryan Cranston.
Marty Bowen at Temple Hill, David Beaubaire and Peter Kiernan Free Association and Hart and John Cheng for HartBeat will produce “Fatherhood.” Brittany Morrissey will oversee for Sony.
Weitz is represented by UTA and by attorney Alex Kohner at Morris Yorn. Stevens is represented by WME. Hart is represented by UTA, 3 Arts, and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin and Dunham.
Deadline was first to report.
Umberto Gonzalez contributed to this report.