Sony ScreenGem’s Think Like A Man Too earned a solid $30 million at the box office this past weekend. The Will “Power” Packer-produced comedy starring Kevin Hart, Meagan Good, Taraji Henson and Gabrielle Union opened in 2,225 theaters nationwide. According to Sony’s early reports, 40% of the film’s audience was under the age of 30 (37% male and 63% female).
Here are four things you may not know about the film:
1). Last week Think Like a Man Too director Tim Story inked a two-year first look deal with HBO. Under the terms of the deal, Story will develop and produce comedy and drama projects for the cable network. This is no small feat for an African-American in Hollywood. Very few African-Americans have first look deals with broadcast and cable networks (it is worth noting that Russell Simmons also has a first look deal with HBO). Story has also directed Ride Along, Barbershop and Fantastic Four.
2). Think Like A Man Too marks the fifth time Kevin Hart has starred in a movie that opened at No. 1. Hart is currently working on several other films, including the Chris Rock-directed film “Finally Famous,” about a comedian trying to make it as a serious actor when his reality-tv star fiance talks him into broadcasting their wedding on her television show. He is also in pre-production for such films as Who Shot The Sherriff? and Captain Underpants.
3). Ordinarily films with global distribution are released in multiple countries the same day or at least the same week as the US release. With Think Like A Man Too, it will be months before the film is released in many other countries. While Think Like a Man Too was released in the United States and Canada this past weekend, anxious theatergoers in the UK will have to wait until September 19, 2014, the scheduled UK release date. Also, the film won’t hit Germany until October 9, 2014.
4). One of the key African-American film executives instrumental in bringing Think Like a Man Too to fruition is James Lopez. Lopez is the Senior Vice President of Production at ScreenGems, the company who greenlit and distributed the film. Lopez joined the company in 2010 and has also been responsible for green lighting such films as the original Think Like A Man and About Last Night.
Jaia Thomas is a Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment attorney. For more information: www.jathomaslaw.com or @jaiathomaslaw.