Now, under his Will Packer Productions banner, he can develop new, scripted projects. At 39-years-old, Packer is one of the youngest African American members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Packer’s first film under the new agreement will be the highly anticipated “
Ride Along,” starring Ice Cube and Kevin Hart. The studio will release the film in January 2014. Packer produces the film alongside Cube, Matt Alvarez and Larry Brezner.
Chairman of Universal Pictures Donna Langley said of Packer: “Will is driven by a boundless energy that drives his relationships and permeates his films. We’ve cherished our experience working with him on Ride Along and cannot wait to collaborate with him on more films in the years to come.”
Packer’s films to date have grossed over $350 million worldwide. The four films he produced, including Screen Gems’ “Stomp the Yard,” “Takers,” “Obsessed” and “Think Like A Man,” each opened number one at the U.S. box office.
In addition to “Ride Along,” Packer has three other films coming out in 2014 including Screen Gems’ “About Last Night” starring Michael Ealy, Joy Bryant, Regina Hall and Kevin Hart (February 14, 2014); “Think Like A Man Too” starring Kevin Hart, Taraji P. Henson, Michael Ealy, Gabrielle Union, Meagan Good, Terrence J, Regina Hall, Jerry Ferrara and Romany Malco (June 20, 2014); and “No Good Deed” starring Idris Elba and Taraji P. Henson in the fall. He recently wrapped production on Screen Gems’ The Wedding Ringer, starring Josh Gad and Kevin Hart, slated for a February 6, 2015 release.
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