On the tail of the bizarre/surprising box office success that was “Paul Blart: Mall Cop”, which pulled in nearly $150 million at the box office last year, Sony Pictures is betting on Kevin James. Variety reports that the studio, along with Columbia Pictures, have greenlit the upcoming action comedy “Here Comes the Boom” with James set to star. Filming on the comedy, which was penned by James and “Zookeeper” writer Rock Reuben, could begin as early as January 2011.
This will mark the third major big screen role after “Paul Blart” for the “King of Queens” star. James will also appear alongside Chris Rock, David Spade, Rob Schneider and Adam Sandler this summer in “Grown Ups,” a comedy about the reconnection of friends after the passing of their high school basketball coach. And with studio hype and test screenings love at a fever pitch, “Zookeeper”, a comedy with Kevin James as a, you guessed it, zookeeper looking for love, was pushed from its planned October release to a prime tentpole release date of July 8, 2011. So is Sony putting all their eggs in the Kevin James basket? It seems that way. And they aren’t the only ones. Adam Sandler, James’ co-star in “Grown Ups,” will produce “Boom” under his Happy Madison banner, along with James’ “Hey Eddie Banner” and Todd Garner’s “Broken Road.” And while no other casting than James has been confirmed, there are rumors that “Boom” could find its female lead in Salma Hayek. We’re not sure why Hayek is now circling the Happy Madison crowd — she’ll also appear in “Grown Ups” — but surely she can upgrade to the Apatow crowd instead?
While details on the upcoming project are being kept under wraps, we can be certain that Sony is definitely banking on James continuing his streak at the box office. And if “Paul Blart” wasn’t a fluke, Kevin James may soon trade in his “King Of Queens” crown, for a King Of Hollywood one instead.