Jacob Latimore is joining the House Party reboot, replacing Jorge Lendeborg Jr. for the co-lead role opposite Tosin Cole. Lendeborg Jr. recently left the project to focus on his mental well-being; insiders say the exit was supported by the studio and filmmakers.
Music video director Calmatic will be making his feature directorial debut based on a script by Stephen Glover and Jamal Olori.
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The 90s classic centers on Kid (Christopher Reid) who intends on going to his bestfriend’s (Christopher Martin) house party, which he is throwing while his parent’s are out of town. However, when Kid gets into a fight at school, his father (Robin Harris) grounds him. But that doesn’t stop Kid from going. When his dad goes to work at night, Kid sneaks out of the house and makes his way to Play’s house and the party of the school year. The party is fun but Kid N’ Play find themselves in more trouble than they bargained for.
Latimore joins Tamera Kissen, Shakira Ja’nai Paye, Andrew Santino, Bill Bellamy, Karen Obilom, and DC Young Fly in the reboot.
The film was a surprise box office hit for New Line in 1990 and is credited with helping catapult hip-hop culture and music into the mainstream. The film also launched the career of writer-director Reginald Hudlin as well as of Reid, Martin, Tisha Campbell, Martin Lawrence, A.J. Johnson, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell and Full Force (Paul Anthony, Bowlegged Lou and B-Fine). Robin Harris, unfortunately, died of a heart attack nine days after House Party premiered.
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Reginald Hudlin, who directed the original, will executive produce the House Party reboot. Warrington Hudlin, Spencer Beighley and Jamal Henderson for SpringHill will also executive produce. New Line executives Richard Brener, Josh Mack and Victoria Palmeri are overseeing for the studio. SpringHill’s LeBron James and Maverick Carter are producing.
Latimore, who currently stars in Showtime’s The Chi will co-star in Legendary’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre sequel. He is also set to star in Panopticon alongside Shailene Woodley and Anthony Mackie in early 2022.