Mindy Kaling Created ‘Late Night’ Movie Lead Just For Emma Thompson

Las Vegas-- Amazon Studios didn’t host a full presentation at CinemaCon in 2019, but the studio did preview one of its upcoming titles to event attendees in Las Vegas on Wednesday night.

Before screening the film “Late Night,” co-stars Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling appeared onstage to tout the dramedy. In the movie, which was penned and produced by Kaling, Thompson plays decorated TV host Katherine Newbury who is in the process of being fazed out by her network. With her career in jeopardy, a new writer Molly, played by Kaling, arrives on the scene and tries to switch things up.

Thompson revealed their journey to make the film started four years ago when Kaling emailed her the script. “This whole thing began when Mindy… she said, ‘I’ve written something for you,’” Thompson shared.

The Oscar-winning actress said she was afraid to read the script at first, knowing Kaling had crafted its lead with only her in mind, but “immediately” fell in love with the project. “No one could have played this part except for her,” Kaling said.

After a long period of waiting, the two went on to shoot the film during the winter in New York City. “This, to me, is a real labor of love,” Kaling shared. “We put all of our hearts into it.”

Amazon Studios is giving “Late Night” a wide release in theaters on June 7, much to the appreciation of the event’s exhibitors. “We are committed to the theatrical experience,” Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios, said Wednesday. “Like our customers, each of our movies are unique,” she added, saying the studio aspires to reach “the widest audience possible.”