Chris Prattis going from guardian to mentor, as he’s set to produce and star in the karate-themed indie comedyThe Black Belt.
Monarch Media is behind the coming-of-age film, which follows a shy, unassuming teen on a quest to become a karate expert, and the unorthodox uncle who guides him along the way. I assume Pratt will be playing the wacky uncle, which to be honest, sounds like a fun role for him. I don’t need to see him battling dinosaurs and space monsters in every movie, so here’s hoping he imbues his mentor character with the sweetness he brought to the role of Andy Dwyer onParks and Recreation.
Karate has been played for dark laughs in films such asThe Foot Fist WayandThe Art of Self-Defense, and thoughThe Black Beltfeels less edgy than both of those movies, it may have the highest ceiling. I’ll be happy if Pratt’s new film turns out to be even half as good as those titles, but it’ll all depend on the casting of the young boy, since the movie seems like it’ll rest on his teenage shoulders.
There’s no director attached yet, butRandall Green(Billions) wrote the script on spec, and Pratt will produce the film under his Indivisible Productions banner. Joining him will be his producing partnerJon Schumacher, as well as Monarch Media principalsSteve BarnettandAlan Powell. Monarch’sVicky Patelwill serve as an executive producer on the project, which will be shopped to buyers by UTA Independent Film Group.
A former writer on Showtime’s hit seriesBillions, Green also wroteNoah Centineo’s Netflix movieThe Perfect Date, and he’s currently adaptingChristopher McDougall’sRunning with Shermanfor the streamer. Green also had a hand in writing theLeBron JamesvehicleSpace Jam: A New Legacyfor Warner Bros.
Pratt’s Indivisible Productions has a first-look deal at Universal, where he is currently developingSaigon BodyguardswiththeRusso brothers. Pratt is also set to star in the Amazon seriesThe Terminal List, which he’ll executive produce alongside directorAntoine Fuqua. For more on that project,click here.
