Name a more iconic duo than John Candy and Steve Martin in “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” The 1987 cult comedy classic was the perfect vehicle (pun intended) for the two actors’ mutual comedic talents, and it’s no wonder the movie is considered one of director John Hughes’s best films.
But now, the ’80s comedy is getting a modern refresh, this time featuring Kevin Hart and Will Smith. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the remake will star Hart and Smith in the roles of the harried, frayed Neal Page (originally played by Martin) and the cheery, inept Del Griffith (originally played by Candy) as the pair tries to make it to Chicago in time for Neal’s Thanksgiving celebration.
The film will also be produced under Will Smith’s Westbrook Studios and Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Productions.
The original script was written by John Hughes, but the Smith-Hart remake will be penned by Aeysha Carr. Carr is an executive producer on the upcoming Hulu series “Woke,” and she has also written episodes of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “The Carmichael Show,” “House of Payne,” “My Wife and Kids” and “Everybody Hates Chris.”
In addition to “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” Hart is attached to another remake of a 1980s John Candy classic. He is slated to star in “The Great Outdoors,” a remake of the 1988 family comedy written by John Hughes and starring John Candy and Dan Akroyd.
In Will Smith remake news, the actor has announced that he will produce a reboot of the ’90s sitcom that made him a household name: “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Smith also recently starred in “Bad Boys for Life,” which became a global box-office hit.
Hart and Smith have been friends — and fans of one another — for a while. Hart once took to Instagram to express how much of an inspiration Smith was to Hart when he was just a budding comedian, and how Smith motivated Hart to work relentlessly in pursuit of his passion.
The two have been wanting to work on a movie together for a long time, discussing the possibility on Instagram and getting fans amped about the possible team-up. Now it looks like the moment is finally here!
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