Kevin Hart’s entertainment empire: A new era of creativity and innovation

A bustling hub of creativity

On a typical Tuesday morning in late July, a massive warehouse-turned-production facility in L.A.’s Canoga Park is buzzing with activity. Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson are in one studio, humorously dissecting the Summer Olympics. In another corner, comedian Earthquake is recording a podcast. This scene is just a snapshot of the vibrant ecosystem that is Hartbeat, Kevin Hart’s entertainment company. With projects spanning TV, film, audio, branded entertainment, and experiential events, Hartbeat is a testament to Hart’s ambition and vision.

Kevin Hart: Beyond the comedian

Kevin Hart is a name synonymous with comedy, thanks to his roles in films like Ride Along, Central Intelligence, and the recently released Borderlands. However, Hart is eager for audiences to recognize him as a production powerhouse. This year alone, he has produced Netflix’s The Roast of Tom Brady, revived Comic View with BET, and released films such as the action thriller Lift, the comedy Prom Dates, and the documentary Group Therapy. Hartbeat is also expanding its podcast offerings with new shows from talents like Punkie Johnson and Yamaneika Saunders.

“Careerwise, I’m pretty happy with what I have achieved, but that star getting brighter isn’t an option,” Hart reflects during a break from shooting the Olympics show. “As far as becoming a bigger star, I think this is it. So the focus is about the entity. Creating what we would hope will be the pieces of IP that people will hold on from this generation, and refer back to in 20 years. That’s the priority.”

The birth of Hartbeat

Hartbeat was born in 2022 from the merger of two companies: Laugh Out Loud and Hartbeat Productions. The newly formed entity quickly secured $100 million in funding from investors, including Peacock. Hart’s talk show Hart to Heart has just debuted its fourth season on Peacock, and his Olympics Highlights Show with Thompson is also airing on the platform. Hartbeat has several more projects in development with the streamer.

A glimpse into the future: Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist

One of the most anticipated projects from Hartbeat is Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, a period drama set in Atlanta on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight. The series, debuting on September 5, stars Kevin Hart alongside Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, and Terrence Howard.

“These are the types of projects that we as a company want to make,” Hart says. “Fight Night I truly do believe is going to blow people away. And leave people wanting more. Not just from the idea of Fight Night but from us as a company.”

Expanding horizons with Moorewood Family Rules

Hartbeat is also developing Moorewood Family Rules, based on the novel by HelenKay Dimon. Directed and executive produced by Justin Simien, with Taraji P. Henson set to star and also serve as an executive producer, the show promises to be an “elevated, subversive family drama with comedic bite.”

Embracing diverse storytelling

Bryan Smiley, the president and chief content officer of Hartbeat, emphasizes that while comedy remains a core part of their identity, the company is branching out into broader cultural narratives. Hartbeat is working on a docuseries exploring artificial intelligence, produced in collaboration with Vox Media Studios. This project aims to provide a comedic yet insightful look into the opportunities and limitations of AI.

Hartbeat’s unscripted ventures

On the unscripted side, Hartbeat has produced documentaries like Group Therapy, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival. The company is also partnering with director Adam Bhala Lough on a docuseries about artificial intelligence, based on extensive reporting. This project will be fully funded by Hartbeat and produced with Vox Media Studios.

Building a legacy

Hartbeat’s future is not solely tied to Kevin Hart’s on-screen presence. Smiley notes that 85% of the projects in development do not feature Hart in front of the camera. The company is committed to nurturing the next generation of talent, whether they are comedy stars, writers, or filmmakers.

“Anything that features Kevin is always going to be faster moving, because obviously a lot of the big buyers understand his star power,” Smiley says. “But the future of the company will be primarily not Kevin. Hartbeat as a brand, a media company and studio will be embracing the next generation of great talent.”

Diverse deals and future plans

Hartbeat has a variety of deals in place, including unscripted projects with Peacock, a feature first-look deal with Netflix, a radio and podcast deal with SiriusXM, and a joint venture with Charlemagne tha God at Audible. The company also operates a FAST channel business.

Next on the agenda is the annual Hartbeat Weekend, a Labor Day weekend event in Las Vegas featuring performances by Hart, other comedians, and musical artists like Lil Wayne and Ludacris. Hartbeat plans to film several comedy specials during the event and showcase its audio and TV properties.

“The reality is, we did so many amazing things in the past, and I’m not sure the market is asking for that anymore,” Smiley says. “What they are asking for, though, is high-quality content, like Fight Night. Everything we do going forward, it’ll be the most premium version, whatever that idea is.”

Conclusion

Kevin Hart’s journey from comedian to production mogul is a testament to his relentless drive and vision. With Hartbeat, he is not just creating content; he is building a legacy that will resonate for generations to come. Whether it’s through groundbreaking dramas like Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist or innovative explorations of AI, Hartbeat is poised to leave an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.