EXCLUSIVE: Ken Jeong, best known for comedy turns in hit film and TV projects including The Hangover, Crazy Rich Asians, Community and panelist duty on The Masked Singer, is stepping into the crime-thriller genre with a key role in movie 52nd State, which is filming in Bogotá, Colombia.
We first told you about the indie project, which is being directed by Netflix’s former longtime VP product Todd S. Yellin and is exec-produced by Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings in his first credit as a producer.
Jeong will play U.S. Postal Inspector Jay Hailey, a quirky agent thrust into the center of a sprawling investigation that uncovers a tech-driven scam preying on elderly Americans. As Hailey follows the trail across borders and through layers of deception, he’s forced to confront both his personal demons and the bureaucratic system he’s sworn to uphold.
Inspired by true events, cast also includes Moisés Arias (Fallout), Teresa Ruiz (Narcos: Mexico), Ignacio Diaz-Silverio (Primo), and Augusto Aguilera (The Predator).
Pic produced by Todd S. Yellin, Fernando Ferro (The Birthday Cake), and Jay Van Hoy (The Witch, American Honey). Executive producers include Reed Hastings, Phil Kumin, Regina Solorzano, Valentina Bove, Simon Beltran, and Juan Pablo Solano.
Jeong can currently be seen as a panelist on the hit Fox series The Masked Singer and will next be seen hosting the network’s new game show 99 to Beat, alongside Erin Andrews, for which he also serves as an executive producer. The multi-hyphenate is also set to appear in The Man With The Bag, an upcoming Christmas comedy, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“Ken surprised me in the best possible way,” said director Yellin. “Jay Hailey is passionate, haunted, and deeply human. Ken brings both intelligence and empathy to a character trying to do something meaningful while navigating his mid-life crisis. It’s a performance people won’t see coming.”
He continued: “Ken follows in the footsteps of such comedic giants as Bill Murray, Robin Williams, Steve Carrell and Adam Sandler who all later made their marks as fine dramatic actors. Ken has shaped comedy for a generation, and now he’s showing just how far his depth and range truly go. It’s been an absolute joy to see him work”.
Jeong added: “Working on 52nd State was such a meaningful experience for me. I’m always looking for ways to keep pushing myself as an actor, and I’m truly grateful to Todd, Fernando and Jay for trusting me with this opportunity.”
Jeong is represented by Goodman, Genow, Untitled Entertainment, and Independent Artist Group.
