Two of Hollywood’s biggest stars—Kevin Hart and John Cena—are joining forces for a high-octane, laugh-packed new film titled The Leading Man, currently in development at Netflix. Based on the comic book series by Jeremy Haun and B. Clay Moore, the movie promises to flip the traditional action-hero formula on its head.
In The Leading Man, Cena plays a self-absorbed movie star who believes he’s the ultimate action hero—until he discovers that his co-star and “man in the chair,” played by Hart, is actually a real-life secret agent. The revelation forces Cena’s character to swallow his pride and team up with Hart to save the world, blurring the lines between reel and real heroism.
This role reversal offers a fresh twist on the action-comedy genre, with Hart stepping into the role of the competent operative and Cena playing the clueless celebrity caught in a global crisis.
The film is being written by Jon and Erich Hoeber, known for Red, The Meg, and My Spy. Hart and Cena are also producing the film alongside:
- Luke Kelly-Clyne and Bryan Smiley for Hartbeat
- Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum for RK Films
- Eric Gitter and Peter Schwerin for Ignition Productions
- Dan Baime, Zak Roth, and the original comic creators
This marks another major entry in Hart’s multi-film deal with Netflix, following hits like Lift, Fatherhood, and The Man from Toronto.
Both stars are riding high on recent streaming success:
- Cena’s Heads of State on Prime Video drew over 75 million viewers, making it one of Amazon’s most-watched films.
- Hart continues to expand his Netflix empire, with upcoming projects like 72 Hours and Little Brother.
Their pairing in The Leading Man is already generating buzz as a potential breakout hit, combining Hart’s comedic timing with Cena’s growing reputation for self-aware action roles.
With its comic book roots, genre-bending premise, and star-studded production team, The Leading Man is poised to deliver explosive action, sharp humor, and a fresh take on heroism. While no release date has been announced, fans can expect updates as production ramps up later this year.
