Has Kevin Hart swapped comedy for tequila?
In early 2019, comedian and actor Kevin Hart faced the biggest blow of his career. In the face of enormous scrutiny and public pressure, he stepped down from hosting the Oscars after controversy blew up around a series of historic tweets and jokes he had made.
After seemingly disappearing from the limelight for around 18 months, during which he also suffered a major back injury in a car crash, Hart returned in late 2020 with a Netflix comedy special entitled Zero Fucks Given. Hart seemed to be back and bigger than ever, recovering from the scandal that at one stage threatened to ruin him.
The following June, the comedy-drama film Fatherhood, in which Hart played the lead role, was released on Netflix and topped the platform’s viewing charts. Since that movie’s release, we have only seen Hart in two more starring roles, the appallingly received direct-to-Netflix movies Me Time and Lift, which were made by his own production company. Aside from one additional comedy tour, the only other times we’ve seen him really making waves on screen have been minimal cameo appearances.
In the same period, Hart has become the latest celebrity to launch his own luxury spirit brand. Gran Coramino tequila was created in September 2022 and, last year, became an official partner of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles. Below a picture of Hart raising a glass of the drink, the brand’s website boasts that it produces “smooth tequilas crafted from hand-selected piñas, harvested at peak maturity”.
So, is that it, then? Is Hart focusing more on his tequila brand and production company than actual comedy these days? Well, fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your view of his humour, he is still a big enough box office draw to front comedy films he didn’t happen to produce himself.
Upcoming Kevin Hart movies and TV series
Later this year, Hart will appear alongside Cate Blanchett in Eli Roth’s action-comedy movie Borderlands, which is based on the video game of the same name. He’s been signed onto the project since early 2021. With its August 9th release date, the movie is aimed squarely at becoming a blockbuster hit for the teen market during the summer holidays.
He’ll be playing the lead role in the limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, as well. The series is based on the story of a heist occurring on the night Muhammad Ali returned to professional boxing in 1970. Although Hart co-produces the show and his company is involved, creator Shaye Ogbonna is very much in charge. It also features an all-star cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle and Taraji P. Henson.
It remains to be seen whether these two releases can help put Hart back on the comedy map outside of his loyal fanbase. Still, as long as the actor has his tequila, we doubt he minds.
