'Martin' Prequel In Development With Martin Lawrence And WonderHill Studios
The reunion of the 'Martin' cast at this year's Emmy Awards brought the beloved 90s sitcom back into the spotlight, capitalizing on nostalgia to revive its presence in pop culture.
Now, Martin Lawrence and his production company, 'RunTelDat', along with Marvin Peart's WonderHill Studios, are aiming for a more enduring comeback with "Young Martin," an hour-long drama series.
'Young Martin' is a contemporary narrative exploring the origins of Martin Payne, a charming teenager navigating the complexities of growing up. This reimagining of Lawrence's character from the original 'Martin' series pays homage to its predecessor, which originally aired on FOX from 1992 to 1997 for five seasons.
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'Young Martin' takes a dramatic approach reminiscent of Peacock's 'Bel-Air' — a contemporary reimagining of a classic 1990s sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' which starred Lawrence's 'Bad Boys' co-star Will Smith.
Executive producers of 'Young Martin' include Lawrence, 59, Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence, and Stacy Lyles from RunTelDat, alongside Bob Yari, David McPherson, Rosa Peart, and Greg Martin representing WonderHill Studios. Yari and Peart, who co-founded WonderHill, continue collaborating on significant projects like 'Young Martin' despite parting ways a few months ago.
Set in present-day Detroit, 'Young Martin' will follow the journey of Martin Payne, an energetic teenager navigating ambition, humor, and genuine compassion. Martin Payne's sharp wit and magnetic personality lead him into compelling and high-stakes situations, where he must confront obstacles, emotions, and ultimately forge his path to success.
"Out of all the hit shows during the 90's, there was only one Martin — a show that defined culture and positivity. Martin reflected a real group of friends from our community that wound up on TV screens all over the world," WonderHill CEO Marvin Peart stated, reports 'Deadline.' "I respected and revered Martin Lawrence for creating Martin Payne and what he did for African Americans on television in front and behind the camera. In many ways, he influenced my path in the entertainment industry and it's an honor to partner with Martin and his younger self and share him with the next generation of fans."
