Sony and Higher Ground Productions to have Kevin Hart drama Paternity released on Netflix on Friday, June 18, just before Father’s Day.
Note that this is a license agreement, not a full agreement when Netflix acquires the film. It’s a similar deal Sony made with Hulu on The happiest season and AppleTV + on Doggy style. Basically, Netflix has licensed rights around the world except China which Sony will keep. During this time, Sony will keep the IP address and all transactional home entertainment windows outside of Netflix.
Paternity, directed by Paul Weitz, is based on the book Two kisses for Maddy: a memory of loss and love by Matthew Logelin. Based on a true story, the photo follows Hart as a single father who raises his baby girl after the unexpected death of his wife a day after their daughter was born.
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The most recent theatrical release date for the photo has been set for April 16. Sony yesterday increased theatrical release Peter Rabbit 2: The Fugue from June 11 to May 14 as appetite for family meals has increased during the pandemic, and with the reopening of box office capitals NYC and San Francisco and Los Angeles is expected to be back online soon.
President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, produce with a script by Dana Stevens and Weitz. The producers are Marty Bowen, Hart, David Beaubaire and Peter Kiernan. The EPs are Betsy Danbury, Aaron L. Gilbert, Jason Cloth, Bryan Smiley, Jaclyn Huntling Swatt, Isaac Klausner, Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin.
Also on the bill are Alfre Woodard, Lil Rel Howery, DeWanda Wise, Anthony Carrigan, Melody Hurd and Paul Reiser.
Earlier this year, Hart and his HartBeat Productions signed an exclusive feature film partnership with Netflix as well as a First Look production deal. Paternity was independently licensed and was not part of this overall agreement.
Weitz is represented by UTA and lawyer Alex Kohner at Morris Yorn. Stevens is represented by UTA and lawyer Wendy Kirk at Ziffren Brittenham. Hart is replaced by 3 Arts, UTA and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham.
