The Man from Toronto: Netflix sets release date for Kevin Hart/Woody Harrelson comedy

Netflix has been doing pretty well with Kevin Hart. His last movie with them, Fatherhood, was a hit with viewers and critics, so it was no surprise that the studio picked up his next movie, The Man from Toronto in a deal with Sony. While initially set for an August 2022 release date by Sony, Netflix has opted to move the film up, with it now set to hit the streamer on June 24th. The film, which is a bit of a change of pace for Hart, being an action-comedy, teams the comedian with Woody Harrelson. Here’s the official synopsis:

A case of mistaken identity arises after a screw-up sales consultant and the world’s deadliest assassin – known only as The Man from Toronto – run into each other at a holiday rental.

The film was originally set to pair Hart with Jason Statham, but the action star bailed due to creative differences. According to reports at the time, Statham wanted the movie to be R-rated, but Sony wouldn’t agree to that, leading to Statham turning down a reported $10 million payday.

The film co-stars Kaley Cuoco and Ellen Barkin and is directed by action movie specialist Patrick Hughes, who also did The Hitman’s Bodyguard and its sequel, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, and The Expendables 3. He’s also set to shoot the upcoming American remake of The Raid.

For all of the talk of Netflix losing subs, it looks like their Summer 2022 programming is the real deal. They have tons coming out, including the much-hyped fourth season of Stranger Things, The Gray Man, Spiderhead, Adam Sandler’s Hustle, and now this. While The Man from Toronto probably would have done well theatrically, it seems like a smart pickup for the streamer, with it bound to play well to Hart’s fanbase while also having the potential to strike a chord with action fans. Keep an eye out for more from The Man from Toronto in the coming weeks!