Malcolm D. Lee has a lot to celebrate this weekend. Girls Trip has become his highest weekend opening to date with a rousing $30.4 million in the domestic box office. The R-rated comedy directed by Lee and produced by Will Packer features a group of friends reuniting at the Essence Festival and stars Regina Hall, Jada Pinkett Smith, Queen Latifah and Tiffany Haddish.  The film also stars Larenz Tate, Mike Colter, and Kofi Siriboe while chronicling a sisterhood that is rekindled during wild nights of partying as well as the vulnerable moments that strengthen their bond.

Not only is the director toasting to a successful opening weekend for his film, he's also just signed a first-look production deal with Universal Pictures which means they want first dibs on anything the talented director-writer-producer creates. Malcolm D. Lee has made nine films with the studio including his directorial debut The Best Man.

Girls Trip has been receiving glowing reviews from critics and social media audiences. The movie has a highly coveted A-plus rating on CinemaScore and is at 89% on Rotten Tomatoes.  This was a pleasant surprise due to the flop of a similar R-rated female driven comedy Rough Night, which stars Scarlett Johansson and gained a 49% on Rotten Tomatoes and only 21.7 million in box office earnings since it’s mid-June release. Girl’s Trip was expected to perform similarly but instead has surpassed all doubt in just 3 days.

Universal is jumping right back into business with Lee upon the success of Girls Trip.  He is now set to direct Night School, an action comedy that will star Kevin Hart. Will Packer will also produce alongside Hart for Hartbeat Productions.

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