Key and Peele ‘Police Academy’ Reboot Canceled After Michael Brown Killing, Barinholtz Says
8 reported
Comedian Ike Barinholtz said a planned reboot of the "Police Academy" film franchise starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele was canceled after the 2014 killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Barinholtz recounted the story on the June 17 episode of the podcast "Funny You Ask with Ike Barinholtz," telling guest Joel McHale about an awkward pitch meeting he had with writing partner David Stassen. Barinholtz said he and Stassen were hired to rewrite the film for New Line Cinema, making it "dirty, rated R, modern," with the original creator attached to the project. The creator insisted on including the original cast, but Barinholtz noted that his partner listed actors who were deceased, which displeased the creator. Barinholtz said that as they were developing the film, Michael Brown was shot and killed, and people decided against making a cop comedy featuring two Black actors playing police officers. The 1984 original "Police Academy" was a box office hit that spawned six sequels and series, with reboot attempts stalling since 2003.
What’s reported
Ike Barinholtz said a "Police Academy" reboot starring Key and Peele was canceled after Michael Brown's death.
Barinholtz told the story on the June 17 podcast "Funny You Ask with Ike Barinholtz."
He and writing partner David Stassen were hired to rewrite the film for New Line Cinema.
The original "Police Academy" creator was attached and wanted the original cast included.
Barinholtz said his partner listed deceased cast members during the pitch, upsetting the creator.
Michael Brown, an 18-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by a white police officer on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri.
The officer was investigated but never indicted for civil rights violations.
The 1984 "Police Academy" starred Steve Guttenberg, Kim Cattrall, and Bubba Smith, and led to six sequels and series.
Key figures
Ike Barinholtz, comedian and actor
David Stassen, writing partner
Keegan-Michael Key, actor
Jordan Peele, actor and filmmaker
Joel McHale, actor and podcast guest
Michael Brown, 18-year-old Black man killed in Ferguson
Steve Guttenberg, actor
Kim Cattrall, actress
Bubba Smith, actor
Sources: Variety
