After sharing the screen in their latest film, “72 Hours,” Marcello Hernandez took a moment to thank Kevin Hart for the experience. But in true comedic fashion, the heartfelt tribute didn’t stay sentimental for long. The “Saturday Night Live” comedian slipped in a playful joke that quickly became the highlight of the post, delighting fans as Hart playfully feigned frustration.
Marcello Hernandez and Kevin Hart have been making rounds to promote their latest comedy film, “72 Hours,” showcasing the playful dynamic they have developed off-screen.
On July 24, the “SNL” cast member took to social media to remind his 4.1 million followers to watch the film while expressing gratitude to his co-star for the amazing opportunity. “What an honor to work with the legend @kevinhart4real – thank you for being so humble, for imparting wisdom, and for leading by example,” Hernandez wrote, adding how much the cast and crew appreciate the actor.
The post was accompanied by a carousel of images from the film’s set, press tours, and behind-the-scenes moments.
While the post appeared heartfelt, fans quickly noticed there was more to it than met the eye. With each swipe, Hart appeared smaller and smaller, making the joke increasingly apparent.
Hart’s height has become a recurring source of jokes throughout his career. The actor is widely reported to stand about 5 feet 5 inches tall in footwear, with estimates placing him between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 4 inches barefoot.
Hernandez, on the other hand, is approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. In the photos, however, the height difference between the two was glaring, prompting people to comment. “I was like dang I didn’t know Kev was that short until I kept scrolling through the pics,” one user noted.
Hart himself replied to the post, writing, “Did you f-cking shrink me?????? WTF MAN… What a d-ck,” followed by a string of laughing-crying emojis.
Chelsea Handler piled on, writing, “That’s how you look in REAL LIFE. We can only find you by listening.”
Marcello Hernandez Has Been Poking Fun At The Actor
Hernandez made multiple playful jabs at Hart on their press tours. The comedian revealed what he learned from his co-star, and he poked fun at his age.
“He taught me how to deal with back pain, how to deal with sciatica, I believe is what he has. Also, Kevin, it’s stairs. He taught me that stairs become a challenge as you get older. So I got a new respect for stairs,” Hernandez told PEOPLE.
On a more serious note, though, Hernandez said it was amazing to see Hart in a professional setting, calling him a “true pro.” “It was a blessing also to see him work,” the comedian said.
At the film’s screening in New York, Hernandez kept the gag going by stepping onto a platform behind the “Jumanji” star to exaggerate the height difference while photographers took pictures.
Kevin Hart Felt ‘Cooler’ Spending Time With His Co-Stars
“72 Hours” centers on Joe (Hart), an advertising executive who is accidentally added to a group chat for a bachelor party. He decides to join the three-day festivities to party with a group of younger men. In addition to Hernandez, the film also stars Mason Gooding, Ben Marshall, and Kam Patterson, with appearances from Zach Cherry, Teyana Taylor, Andy Garcia, and Michael Mando.
In an interview with “Extra TV,” Hart said he felt “cooler” being around his younger castmates, noting that the older generation could learn some things from them. “This younger generation has found new ways to break ground, find new levels of success in entertainment… They are really, really being forward-active in showcasing the concept that we don’t have to do things in the ways of old,” the actor explained.
Hernandez, on the other hand, admitted he learned a lot about work ethic and how to deal with the entertainment business after spending months with Hart.
’72 Hours’ Earns Mixed Reviews
The Kevin Hart-led movie has received mixed reviews from critics and viewers.
The New York Times film critic Glenn Kenny described the lead star as having “uncanny talent,” while noting that despite the “crude” humor, the movie was “genuinely funny.” Decider critic John Serba, on the other hand, wrote that the film was filled with “dumb stereotypes,” “lazy generation-gap observations,” and “half-hearted political correctness.”
On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a rating of 14 percent on the Tomatometer (professional critics) and 51 percent (audience score) on the Popcornmeter.
“72 Hours” is now streaming on Netflix.
