Movies

Girls Trip director admits theres always pressure as he turns attention to Night School

author image

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

Girls Trip became a huge hit in 2017, grossing $137 million worldwide, leaving fans begging for a sequel, and turning Tiffany Haddish into a global star overnight.

So youd understand if its director felt a little bit of pressure to keep churning out the hits.

Malcolm D. Lees first post-Girls Trip release is the comedy Night School starring Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish – but he insists that he treated it like any other movie.

When asked by Metro.co.uk if he was feeling the pressure, Lee said: Not really. I think its always pressure to do any movie, and I want to make the best product I possibly can. Thats why I push so hard, I shoot a little bit more than the actors may want, because when I get to the editing room, I want to have a lot of different choices.

Advertisement

Advertisement

I just wanted to make a good comedy with heart – not just Kevin Hart – and emotional pull and stakes other than just trying to make people laugh. If youre invested in the character and their story and their journey, the laughs are going to be that much better.

Kevin Hart in Night School

Malcolm said he was pleasantly surprised by Kevins acting skills (Picture: Universal Pictures)

After playing party girl Dina in Girls Trip, Tiffany takes a much different role in Night School, playing teacher Carrie, who is tasked with getting Teddy (Hart) his high school diploma.

And although the actresss profile has skyrocketed since Girls Trip, Malcolm doesnt think shes changed that much – in that she was always confident.

Tiffany did not ever lack in confidence. I think its a little bit of a different role for her, even though we see shades of Dina from Girls Trip in Carrie, she has to play a straighter role here, its more plot driven and character driven in this movie. So Im very proud of her that shes able to make that transition and not just be the comedic fastball that we were looking for in Girls Trip, and be a co-starring lead.

She meets her match in Hart, who brings the belly laughs with his portrayal of a former high school joker struggling in a class of misfits.

But while the laughs are laid on thick and fast, theres plenty of heart in the movie, with learning difficulties and insecurities addressed.

Advertisement

Advertisement

More: Film

Lee told us: I didnt realise how good an actor Kevin was – I knew he was really funny, but it was good to realise how good a technical actor he was, and hes just such an everyman. He plays such a good put upon person. And to have to be that foil for him, Tiffany is such a bundle of energy who, like in the movie, he says shes such a brick wall, and will not go for his BS.

How unwilling is Carrie to take Teddys BS? Well, the scenes in which she body slams him in a ring to drill his studies into his head are pretty clear.

Talking about the fight scenes, Malcolm laughed: Well, [Kevins] so tiny, so it was quite easy to do! That was a great addition to the movie that we needed to have at the end of our second act to ratchet it up a notch and key in on Teddys learning, because hes not a traditional learning student. He doesnt have those kind of skills, but here was a why to physicalise his learning style.

Night School is in cinemas on 28 September.

Got a story?

If you've got a story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk Entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.

MORE: Maroon 5 to headline 2019 Super Bowl halftime show

MORE: Bhad Bhabie drops debut mixtape 15 – do Nicki Minaj and Cardi B want the smoke?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Related Articles

Back to top button