Reggie Hudlin’s career spans decades and genres, from cult classics such as “House Party” and “Boomerangs” to rock major events such as the NAACP Image Awards. However, his latest work, “Cole Sheet Number One,” may be his most personal and culturally important.
The new Apple TV+ documentary, produced alongside Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart and Datari Turner, tells the story of Black Excellence through Hollywood’s biggest name voice.
Hadlin calls it a “bookend to Sydney.”
“I made a film about the life of the first black movie star Sidney Poitier a few years ago. Everyone in these films stands on Sydney’s shoulders,” Hudlin said. “So I thought this was a great way to do that. It features all the stars of today.”
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“Cole Sheet Number One” is more than a star-studded movie. Roadmap, love letters and masterclasses are caught up in one. The documentary features talents from great powers such as Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Kevin Hart, Dwayne “Rock” Johnson, Eddie Murphy and Lawrence Fishburne.
“There was something incredible that everyone contributed,” Hudlin said. “People came to me and said, ‘Oh my god, Lawrence Fishburne made me cry in the first five minutes.” What these people really offer is a blueprint for life. ”
For Hadlin, these are not just sound bits, they are deeply rooted lessons.
“Unlike everything is different, one thing they share is the winner’s mentality. That’s the common thread.”
Hadlin quickly learned that there is no path to success, especially in Black Hollywood.
“After hearing their stories, I understand that Ice Cube is very different to how Smith did or how Morgan Freeman did. But they all got to the same place. It’s the number one on the call sheet. It’s a universal message.
Still, the path to making a film was not simple. Schedule the biggest stars in the industry is like throwing a constellation.
“These are some of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood,” he explained. “The challenge wasn’t about motivation. They all wanted to do it. It was their availability. We went on filming for years. It’s like fishing. You’re waiting for Denzel. You’re waiting for now.”
Hadlin says it was honest that the documentary became different. These were not press junkets or promotional rounds. These were hearts. “We didn’t plug in the project,” he said. “We were telling stories. It was a real story. We wanted to show the whole person.”
That authenticity was extended to the way filmed the film was filmed. From Kevin Hart’s office to personal reflections on Denzel’s theatre vs. film, the document captures rare intimacy.
“You’re really watching Kevin in his big go,” Hudlin said. “He’s not just funny. There’s an entire company behind that performance.”
Beyond celebrities, “Call Sheet No. 1” reflects the evolution of black identity and expression in the entertainment industry. And for Hadlin, it is another step in a career rooted in heritage and purpose.
From creating a “house party” as a Harvard student, to carrying out bets and producing “Django Unchained,” Hudlin’s journey has always been driven by passion and community.
“I always knew the story I wanted to tell,” he said. “And I know that culture is always important. Who we are?”
Hudlin also considers his return to the production side. “I understand their concerns now,” he said. “So I’ll deal with them preemptively. It’s not about whether we agree or not. It’s about making everyone feel like they’re watching.”
So, what’s next?
Hudlin is trapped tightly, but hints at new film and television projects. Still, the “number one on the call sheet” is the potential to leave the deepest mark.
“It’s a love letter to black performers, past and present,” he said. “And it reminds me that greatness is not a fluke. It’s a pattern built on vision, work, and will.”
For those who pursue their dreams, Hadrin has a simple message.
“There’s no path to success. You have to find the right path for yourself. That’s how you win.”
And if “the number one on the call sheet” tells us anything, then the spotlight isn’t just a destination, it’s a call.
