A ‘Martin’ Prequel, ‘Young Martin,’ is in the Works

In an era of movie and TV reboots, fans of the 90s sitcom ‘Martin’ have something new to look forward to.  ‘Young Martin,’ a prequel to the cult classic TV show starring Martin Lawrence, is currently in the works. This forthcoming hourlong series brings a fresh perspective to the beloved character Martin Payne.

Deadline reports that ‘Young Martin’ is a contemporary origin story that follows a teenage Martin Payne as he navigates the ups and downs of growing up. This new series reimagines the character played by Lawrence on the original ‘Martin’ show, which aired on Fox from 1992 to 1997 and introduces him to a new generation of fans. Lawrence, along with his production company RunTelDat, is teaming up with Marvin Peart’s WonderHill Studios to bring the show to life.

The series takes a similar approach to the reboot of ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ with ‘Bel-Air,’ produced by Lawrence’s ‘Bad Boys’ co-star Will Smith. ‘Young Martin’ will explore themes of family, friendship, and the challenges of adolescence in modern-day Detroit. The young Martin Payne, with his quick wit and magnetic personality, will find himself in various situations, learning valuable life lessons along the way.

Executive producers for ‘Young Martin’ include Martin Lawrence, Rae Proctor, Robert Lawrence, and Stacy Lyles from RunTelDat, alongside Bob Yari, David McPherson, Rosa Peart, and Greg Martin from WonderHill Studios. This marks WonderHill Studios’ first television project, showcasing their commitment to cultural authenticity and storytelling.

Marvin Peart, CEO of WonderHill Studios, shared his excitement: “Out of all the hit shows during the 90s, there was only one ‘Martin’—a show that defined culture and positivity. Martin reflected a real group of friends from our community that wound up on TV screens all over the world. I respected and revered Martin Lawrence for creating Martin Payne and what he did for African Americans on television in front and behind the camera. In many ways, he influenced my path in the entertainment industry, and it’s an honor to partner with Martin and his younger self and share him with the next generation of fans.”

During its five-season run, ‘Martin,’ co-created by Lawrence with John Bowman and Topper Carew, won numerous accolades including People’s Choice and NAACP Image awards. The show’s legacy continues with ‘Young Martin,’ promising to capture the spirit and humor that made the original series a cultural phenomenon.

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