Trailer Talk: ‘Little’ Has Me Concerned, But It’s A Big Move For A Young Star

So, the trailer for Marsai Martin’s first-produced film, Little is here! I think it’s funny, but I also think it could be a little…weird?

The good: I think this trailer looks very funny. It’s a new take on the standard body swap story. It looks fresh, stylish, and it definitely has a sense of verve.

Also great: a little girl produced this film! Of course, Martin is more than just “a little girl”–she’s one of the breakout stars from ABC’s black-ish. She’s a tremendous talent an a burgeoning businesswoman; she even fired her agent because they were limiting her business range, particularly when it came to this film.

There’s a ton of writing talent behind this film as well. As Shadow and Act reported last August:

Martin came up with the script idea and will executive produce. Fresh Off the Boat writer Camilla Blackett wrote the most recent version of the script, which had earlier drafts written by Drumline writer Tina Gordon and Girls Trip writer Tracy Oliver. Oliver wrote the first draft, and all versions are based on Martin’s idea. Gordon is the director.

Will Packer, the producer behind many box office hits such as Girls Trip and Night School, is also behind the film, as well as black-ish creator/executive producer Kenya Barris.

I also really like Martin’s wardrobe in the film. Yes, the film will show off her acting chops, but this is also a fun, candy-coated comedy that wants to appeal to women and young girls, so Martin has to have a bomb wardrobe. Like, her paper doll accessories-patterned sweatsuit set. I want that myself.

Now, what do I find weird? Well, personally speaking, I’ve always found films that have an adult in a child’s body touchy because eventually, the films go into uncomfortable territory. Why? Because there’s always a romance thrown in there, usually a romance between the adult-in-child’s-body and an actual adult they’ve had their eyes on when they were in their right body.

Overall, there hasn’t been a romance featured in the Little trailer, but there’s a lot of humor regarding Martin’s character appearance versus her age combined with her interactions with grown men, like This Is Us‘ Justin Hartley and The New Edition Story’s Luke James. That makes me a little…grossed out. I’m sure every joke surrounding this kind of interplay is tastefully done, but I’m just saying that this is a reason these films kinda squick me out. (Is “squick” a slang word? Well, if not, it is now.)

On a more personal level, Regina Hall, who plays the grown lady version of Martin’s character, gave me a little bit of a flashback moment to the time I worked under an emotionally abusive boss, particularly the beginning scene in which Hall character wants Issa Rae’s character to be near her phone, ready to jump, at any time of day and night, regardless of whatever’s going on in Rae’s own life. That’s pretty much exactly how my boss wanted me to be near my phone. I got to the point that I would put my phone on vibrate because I got tired of hearing it ding, especially when I was supposed to be on my off day. (There were no off days with this boss.) So, in short, I can’t wait to see Hall’s character get a bit of humble pie. EVERY TERRIBLE BOSS NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO BE A GOOD PERSON WHO CAN HANDLE THEIR OWN INSECURITIES FIRST. GET YOUR LIVES TOGETHER, BAD BOSSES.

Nevertheless, I am proud of Martin’s move up in Hollywood; no doubt soon we’ll see Martin own her own studio, creating even more films that will have our tongues wagging. I can’t wait for that day.

Here’s more about Little:

Cast:

Regina Hall

Issa Rae

and introducing Marsai Martin

 

Director:

Tina Gordon

 

Story:

Tracy Oliver

Screenplay:

Tracy Oliver and Tina Gordon

 

Producers:

Will Packer

Kenya Barris

James Lopez

 

Executive Producers:

Marsai Martin

Josh Martin

Regina Hall

Preston Holmes