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.
17 Hardest Working Movie Actors of 2016, From Kevin Hart to Anna Kendrick (Photos)
Here is a list of actors and actresses that had a busy 2016, including Margot Robbie, Elle Fanning and Ben Affleck.
Ben Affleck
His busy year kicked off with "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," but that wasn't all -- He had a small cameo in "Suicide Squad," and starred in "The Accountant" and "Live By Night," which he also directed.
Getty Images
Margot Robbie
Not only did she entertain as Harley Quinn in "Suicide Squad," but the actress also starred in Tina Fey's "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot," "The Legend of Tarzan" and "Terminal."
Getty Images
Kevin Hart
One of the busiest and most popular guys in Hollywood, Hart starred in "Central Intelligence," "Ride Along 2," voiced a character in "The Secret Life of Pets," and had his comedy special "Kevin Hart: What Now?"
Getty Images
Haley Bennett
Apart from starring in video game-like film "Hardcore Henry" and playing a role in "The Girl on the Train," Bennett also starred in "The Magnificent Seven" and "Rules Don't Apply."
Getty Images
Adam Driver
Apart from starring in the holdover "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," Driver played a role in "Midnight Special," "Paterson" and "Silence" -- and he was filming the final season of "Girls."
Getty Images
Felicity Jones
Jones had a good year too -- She was one of the leads in "Inferno" opposite Tom Hanks, as well as "A Monster Calls," "Collide" and the end of year hit "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."
Getty Images
Michael Shannon
Is there a movie Shannon hasn't booked this year? In addition to reprising his role as Zod in "Batman v Superman," he starred in two Jeff Nichols movies, "Midnight Special" and "Loving" -- not to mention indies "Frank & Lola," "Elvis & Nixon" and "Nocturnal Animals."
Focus
Anna Kendrick
Kendrick starred in "Get a Job," "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates," "The Hollars," "The Accountant" and voiced a character in DreamWorks' "Trolls."
Getty Images
Ben Foster
Foster really shined in "Hell or High Water" opposite Chris Pine, with whom he also starred in "The Finest Hours." But Foster also starred in "Warcraft" and "Inferno."
Getty Images
Sigourney Weaver
Who could forget Sigourney Weaver's voice in "Finding Dory?" Well, the actress also had other roles this year: "Re(Assignment)," "Ghostbusters" and "A Monster Calls."
Toby Kebbell
Kebbell had roles in "Warcraft," "Ben-Hur," "A Monster Calls" and "Gold" this year.
Getty Images
Jeremy Irons
Irons had roles in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Race," "The Man Who Knew Infinity," and "Assassin's Creed."
Getty Images
Elle Fanning
The younger Fanning sister had a busy year as she starred in films like "Neon Demon," "Ballerina," "20th Century Women," "Live By Night" and "American Pastoral."
Getty Images
Ike Barinholtz
The comedian had a busy year as well, starring in "Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising" and "Suicide Squad" as well as lending his voice to movies like "Angry Birds" and "Storks."
Getty Images
Mahershala Ali
Not only was Ali one of the main characters in Netflix's "Luke Cage," but the actor also starred in "The Free State of Jones, "Kicks" and "The Realest Real," as well as Oscar hotshots "Moonlight" and "Hidden Figures."
Photographed by William Callan for TheWrap
Greta Gerwig
Gerwig was also in four movies this year: "Maggie's Plan," "Wiener-Dog," "20th Century Women" and "Jackie" opposite Natalie Portman.
Getty Images
Ethan Hawke
Hawke had a great role in Antoine Fuqua's "The Magnificent Seven," as well as "Maudie," "In the Valley of Violence," "Born to be Blue" and "The Phenom."
Sony
1 of 18
TheWrap Rewind 2016: A look at actors and actresses who starred in four or more movies this year
Here is a list of actors and actresses that had a busy 2016, including Margot Robbie, Elle Fanning and Ben Affleck.