There’s an age-old dilemma here that’s very chicken and the egg. To create stars, you need to invest in those who are not yet stars. So 20th Century Fox are doing just that with their new upcoming comedy, “Let’s Be Cops.” Directed by Luke Greenfield (the underrated 2004 comedy “The Girl Next Door”), “Let’s Be Cops” stars two male leads from Fox’s “New Girl,” Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. They’re a likable pair (Johnson’s been a great indie film scene stealer over the last few years), have chemistry and obviously know each other well. But can they open a movie together?
That’s a million dollar question now, isn’t it? A red-band trailer has been released and it looks amusing enough. In fact, there’s a kind of sociopathic edge to this movie which could be great if it’s well exploited. The movie centers on two struggling pals who dress as police officers for a costume party (Johnson, Wayans Jr.) and become neighborhood sensations. But when these newly-minted “heroes” get tangled in a real life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line.
So they’re clearly a little unhinged or desperate, but is that enough? The movie co-stars Nina Dobrev, Rob Riggle, Andy Garcia, James D’Arcy and Keegan-Michael Key among others and that’s a pretty decent little supporting cast. But will it play with mainstream audiences? Well, “Let’s Be Cops” opens August 13th in wide release. That’s up against “The Expendables 3” and “The Giver” (and actually is two days early as that Friday is the 15th). Will it be a summer alternative programmer next to the big Stallone movie and the Y.A. adaptation? Time will tell. Check out the red-band trailer, a green band trailer and some new posters and photos below.
