In an exclusive interview with Filmfare, actor Kevin Hart and executive producer Bryan Smiley open up about making the show, their appreciation for Bollywood and more.
What was it like working with Samuel L. Jackson, Taraji P. Henson and Don Cheadle?
Kevin: That’s awesome. Look at the name you just said and look at the resume that is attached to it all. The fact that Samuel L. Jackson is a bad guy in what I get the opportunity to do is huge. You’re looking at legends and more legends. At this stage of my career, I’m trying my best to reconcile the many legends of great material so that I can say from a company perspective that we’re doing something amazing. It’s not about my talent anymore. It’s all about talent. The priority is to find material that allows us all to be together so that we can all make good memories and have good stories. I was like a kid in a candy store, even now in a pinch.
What are the challenges of recreating history and creating style like Fight Night did?
Bryan: You have to be original. That means you have to bring a crew that knows the time. And I think we really hit the nail on the head. The audience should be transported back to 1970s Atlanta when it was a national and global city. We want to make sure that when you watch it, you really feel like you’re there again.
Kevin: I don’t think it’s a challenge. I think that’s the funnest thing, right? Not having it all figured out is exciting. Not having all the answers beforehand is good because when you’re on set or during the process, the discoveries you make will improve the show. The thing that presents itself as the biggest obstacle is that you’re not just tracking the story, but you’re tracking the stakes in your performance outside of the dialogue. The dialogue is the easy part. Your body language, your eyes, your complexity, that’s what I think is most important when playing a character like this and making sure that you don’t sway from the past and be current or modern when you should be. be in period. I would say just know what the 70s are, know how I should look, what I should say, and what I should do too. That’s some trouble. But for me, it’s all about the excitement of starting the challenge.
Kevin, you have fans in India, have you ever experienced the culture and Bollywood?
Kevin: I love this question because I’m not going to lie. A lot of people try to lie here and they leave, I know it all. I will not do that. You wouldn’t catch me like that. I know a lot about Bollywood. I am well aware of the success associated with it and how the film business works in India. What I most want to learn is the opportunity to come there and work with some of the biggest stars. I can’t believe that everyone comes to America to do great things. I think you are big and successful for a reason. If I had a chance to come in and have a cameo or have some scenes where I could come in and steal with some of the best, I think that would be dope. But stars who have crossed like Nick Jonas’ wife, Priyanka Chopra, are very nice people. I know him through Nick and our relationship with Jumanji. But knowing the magnitude of his success and following him and seeing that he can get here while staying true to Bollywood. It’s dope stuff. I like the opportunity to be one of the few who pass and cross the bridge to that side. To be honest, I don’t know everything. I am not indebted for that understanding, but I would like to be educated more and have the opportunity to work with some if I can.
Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist is now streaming.
