Kevin Hartwill produce and likely star in an English-language remake of the Korean box office sensationExtreme Jobfor Universal Pictures, it was announced on Monday.
There’s no director attached yet, butGirls TripscribeTracy Oliverwill write the script and produce alongside Hart andFrancis Chungof CJ Entertainment, which produced the original film. Jerry Ko will serve as an executive producer, while CJ’sFred LeeandIni Chungwill co-produce and oversee development for the company.Carli Haneywill oversee the project on behalf of Hart’s HartBeat Productions.
Extreme Jobfollows a team of narcotics detectives who go undercover in a fried chicken joint to stake out an organized crime gang. Things take an unexpected turn when the detectives’ chicken recipe suddenly transforms the rundown restaurant into the hottest spot in town. The film has grossed the equivalent of $127 million in Korea, making it the highest-grossing film in Korean box office history.
I’ll be curious to see how that premise translates to a big studio comedy, but if Hart likes the source material and thinks there’s comedic gold to mine from it, who am I to argue? I mean, it worked forJimmy FallonandQueen LatifahonTaxi,didn’t it? That’s a bad example, of course, as I could have just as easily pointed to Hart’s own remake of the French blockbusterThe Intouchables, since against all odds,The Upsideis currently the 7th-highest grossing film at the domestic box office this year, taking in $108 million stateside. That speaks to how universal its themes were, and likewise, Hart said he thinksExtreme Joboffers something for audiences around the world.
Don’t forget that Universal and CJ Entertainment are already working with Hart and his company to develop the female-driven dramedyBye, Bye, Bye, based on the hit 2011 Korean filmSunny.Amy Aniobiis already writing the script for that English-language remake, though that project wouldn’t feature Hart front-and-center the wayExtreme Jobwould, should Hart spark to a role in Oliver’s screenplay.
Hart recently co-wrote, produced and starred in last year’s hit comedyNight School, and he’s set to return in a pair of upcoming sequels that will no doubt made waves at the box office —The Secret Life of Pets 2and the nextJumanjimovie. Hart is represented by UTA and 3 Arts Entertainment, while Oliver is repped by ICM Partners and Artists First. Deadline broke the news.
