Kevin Hart‘s crossover success has given him the platform to speak on the topics of the day within the entertainment business. During an About Last Night press event, the comedian expressed his hopes for change within Black Hollywood.
“The phrase ‘Black movie’ is slowly getting erased and I love it for the simple fact that we’re making good films,” said the 34-year-old star. However the term is skewed it has significantly lessened in light of a standout year of great films that starred predominately Black casts.
“‘Best Man Holiday‘ was a very successful film. 12 Years a Slave, The Butler, Fruitvale Station, Ride Along [were too],” Hart told reporters at a New York City dinner. “You had movies that have overperformed and it’s because these movies are being looked at as universal.” Hart’s last three pictures have gone on to dominate the box office. The stigma attached to films such as the one’s Hart mentioned results in the majority of moviegoers just wanting to get their monies worth.
The year 2013 was hailed by many critics around the industry as “the year of Black film” due to the remarkable impact of several films with leading actors like Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o and Michael B. Jordan. Hart, a Philly native, was a big part of that with standout performances in Ride Along with Ice Cube and Grudge Match with Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone. With his starring role in About Last Night, Hart is looking to kick off 2014 with another No. 1 box-office hit. “I don’t know about other people, but I love to work,” Hart said. “I’m trying to accomplish what hasn’t been accomplished. When I’m no longer here I want people to talk about what the f**k I did.”
While the crossover success within the Black Hollywood space hasn’t had the same box-office bonanza as Hart, he proves that good films, no matter the color, will appeal to mainstream audiences.
