Planned “Police Academy” Reboot Starring Key and Peele Was Canceled After Michael Brown Killing in Ferguson
The reboot was shelved after Michael Brown’s killing made a cop comedy with two Black leads politically untenable, Barinholtz said.
- Comedian Ike Barinholtz revealed that a planned Police Academy reboot starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele was canceled following the fatal 2014 police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
- Barinholtz and writing partner David Stassen were hired to create a "dirty, R-rated, modern" version, but the original franchise creator insisted on including the original cast, creating tension during their pitch meeting.
- During the pitch, Barinholtz's partner unintentionally named deceased original cast members including Bubba Smith, who played Moses Hightower, and David Graf, who portrayed Eugene Tackleberry, unaware they had passed away in 2011 and 2001 respectively.
- On his June 17 podcast, Barinholtz noted that Brown's killing shifted the cultural climate, stating, "We're not making a cop comedy right now where we're having these two hilarious Black actors play police officers."
- Currently, Barinholtz stars in the satire The Studio, while Jordan Peele works on upcoming film projects and Keegan-Michael Key films the Romy and Michele's High School Reunion sequel.
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Planned “Police Academy” reboot starring Key and Peele was canceled after Michael Brown killing in Ferguson
Ike Barinholtz says he was writing a "dirty, rated-R, modern" version.Steve Guttenberg and Bubba Smith in 'Police Academy'Credit: EverettKey PointsKeegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele were involved with a Police Academy reboot.Ike Barinholtz says he was writing the film, but the plans were scrapped following the death of Michael Brown.The new Police Academy would have been a "dirty, rated-R, modern" version.Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele wer…
Key & Peele ‘Police Academy’ reboot was canceled by Michael Brown shooting, writer reveals
A planned "Police Academy" reboot featuring comedians Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele was quietly shelved in the mid-2010s, not because of creative friction, but because the fatal police shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, made a lighthearted cop comedy untenable, writer Ike Barinholtz revealed this week.
Key and Peele’s ‘Police Academy’ reboot was canceled due to a tragic real-life incident, writer says
Key and Peele’s ‘Police Academy’ reboot was canceled due to a tragic real-life incident, writer says Comedian Ike Barinholtz, known for his work on 'The Studio' and 'The Mindy Project,' recently made a surprising revelation on his 'Funny You Ask with Ike Barinholtz' podcast. On Wednesday, he told the episode's guest star, Joel McHale, about his involvement in the stalled reboot of the 1984 comedy film 'Police Academy.' The 49-year-old star recal…
After Ferguson, Key and Peele's Police Academy reboot was quietly shuttered
“Animal House for cops”: was never a great, sensitive pitch, but it did fuel one of the 19’80s’ most notorious franchises: Police Academy. Thankfully, despite reboots and legacy sequels of other ’80s comedies, like Beverly Hills Cop to The Naked Gun, Mahoney and the gang have remained trapped in their ’80s prison. That’s not for lack of trying, of course. We’re under constant threat of a Police Academy reboot, but the world keeps getting in the …
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