Netflix has found the stars for its newest comedy, The Leading Man, based on the Oni Press comic series by B. Clay Moore and Jeremy Haun. Written by Jon and Erich Hoeber, the film follows a narcissistic Hollywood star who believes he’s the ultimate action hero–until he discovers that his man in the chair is a real undercover agent.

The actor will be forced to swallow his pride and accept that action stars aren’t really action heroes, all while trying to save the world. With its blend of Hollywood satire and high-stakes espionage, The Leading Man is set to pair Cena’s self-aware humor with Hart’s quick-witted banter for what will be the duo’s first major on-screen collaboration.

As revealed by ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, Cena and Hart are attached to star in and produce The Leading Man. Cena will star as the narcissistic Hollywood star, while Hart will play the undercover agent. Hart’s involvement with The Leading Man is through the actor’s production company, HartBeat, multi-film deal with Netflix.

What This Means For The Leading Man

Hart’s extensive background in comedy and action makes him a natural fit for The Leading Man. From buddy-action comedies like Central Intelligence to high-energy Netflix flicks such as Lift and The Man from Toronto, Hart has consistently proven he can balance sharp comedic timing with stunt-filled sequences.

Hart’s previous work with Netflix also includes the films Fatherhood, Me Time, and the limited series True Story. The casting announcement also comes amid his work on 72 Hours, another Netflix comedy where he’ll star alongside Marcello Hernandez and Mason Gooding.

Meanwhile, Cena has established himself as a comedic action star through projects like The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, and Heads of State, the Amazon MGM comedy co-starring Idris Elba, which became the fourth-most-watched Amazon MGM film of all time on Amazon’s OTT service. He’s also currently working on a new Netflix comedy тιтled Little Brother alongside Eric André.

Known for leaning into self-deprecating humor while still bringing physical intensity to his roles, Cena has proven his ability to lead action-comedy hybrids that appeal to large audiences. With both stars bringing their sets of skills to the table, The Leading Man ​​​​​​has the potential to offer both thrills and laughs that audiences love.

Our Take On Netflix’s Latest Film

With The Leading Man, Netflix seems to be on track to deliver a new action-comedy with meta commentary, with two stars that are perfectly on brand. Cena’s confident physical presence complements Hart’s quick wit, and the comic premise of a “leading man” who’s not who he thinks he is offers a rich playground for the actors.

If Hart and Cena’s current track records are any indication, this project could become one of the streamer’s most anticipated comedies. It’s been a while since streaming platforms launched a comedy that truly broke out worldwide, and with The Leading Man bringing together recognizable faces, humor, and action, Netflix could find a new success with the film.