Kevin Hart explores a different type of role for his next project, Fatherhood. Fatherhood is based on the book Two Kisses For Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love by Matthew Logelin. This is a story about a man who loses his wife a day after giving birth to their new baby, Maddy.
The story follows Matt and the struggles he faces as a single father, while also highlighting how he rebuilds his life after the tragedy of losing a wife while still learning how to be a good father. Kevin Hart plays Matt, who must raise Melody Hurd’s character Maddy.
We had the opportunity to speak with the cast on how they developed their onscreen chemistry. Fatherhood premieres on June 18 on Netflix.
Melody, what was your favorite part to film with Kevin? Did he give you any tips?
Melody Hurd: He helps me a lot, and he did give me tips. We definitely did the little slap hands game [a lot].
I like the part when we went to Grandma's house. That was really fun, because the room at the house was so cool.
Kevin, this movie really gives the perspective of the single parent from the father's side. What do you think fathers in this position would struggle with the most?
Kevin Hart: In this position? I can't say that I'm familiar with that many. I only know Matt that has experienced anything like this. And I can say to anybody that has, I think the biggest struggle is just doing something and feeling alone while doing it. That's the biggest struggle, feeling like it's only you and just you; questioning why you and why not the other way around.
I think it's more of what happens to the mind in the mind. But once again, that's assumption and speculation. I can't even say that I'm confident I would have the strength to get past something like that, which is why I bow down to Matt and the amount of strength that he has put on display by just telling this story. By overcoming this and finding happiness after, and still being true and loyal to his wife then.
It's a lot. It's a lot of layers that go into something like this, and I couldn't even imagine it. That struggle, and that search for “what is my now? what am I supposed to do now?” I can only imagine how tough that is.
The slap game and the poker scene were probably one of my favorites because they felt the most genuine. Was there a lot of downtime for you guys to play those types of games and build that chemistry with each other?
Melody Hurd: Sometimes.
Kevin Hart: But you didn't really want to play me at slap hands, because I was the best?
Melody Hurd: No, I just thought we could dance and stuff.
Kevin Hart: I was the best dancer too. We would dance, and I was the best at that too. I was the best.
Melody Hurd: You weren’t! We’re equal.
