Ice Cube will write and star in a new installment of the Friday franchise. This announcement comes as welcome news to fans who have been waiting for a continuation of the cult comedy series since the early 2000s.
Marking the first sequel in the series in more than 20 years, the rapper and actor, 54, has reached an agreement with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema to develop Last Friday, which will be the fourth film in the comedy series. The franchise has maintained a dedicated following through streaming services and social media memes over the years.
Richard Brener, president and chief creative officer of New Line, confirmed the deal in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, with Variety also verifying the news. Industry insiders suggest the budget for the new film could significantly exceed that of the previous entries.
Ice Cube has long expressed interest in revisiting the Friday series. He has mentioned the project in numerous interviews over the past decade, indicating his commitment to continuing the story.
“They have new leadership: my man Mike De Luca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first Friday and Players Club and All About the Benjamins,’ ” Ice Cube said, speaking with Flavor Flav on his SiriusXM show “Flavor of the Week” in June 2024, adding that there was “traction” at Warner Bros. for the film under the studio’s new leadership, including co-chair Michael De Luca. This leadership change appears to have been the catalyst needed to move the project forward after years of development obstacles.
“Mike De Luca was there,” Ice Cube emphasized, highlighting the importance of having an executive who understands the franchise’s history and cultural significance.
Ice Cube starred in and co-wrote the original Friday, which came out in 1995, with DJ Pooh before going on to write the sequels Next Friday (2000) and Friday After Next (2002). Each film in the series has explored different aspects of Craig Jones’ life while maintaining the distinctive humor that made the original a hit.
All three films were produced by New Line, which was under De Luca’s leadership during their production. The partnership between Ice Cube and De Luca has proven successful in the past, contributing to the franchise’s consistent tone and appeal.
Warner Bros. later acquired New Line, securing the rights to the Friday franchise. This corporate consolidation had previously complicated efforts to develop a new installment, as creative decisions required approval from different stakeholders.
The Friday series, which follows the misadventures of Craig, played by Ice Cube, has become a cult classic. The films are known for their quotable dialogue, memorable characters, and authentic portrayal of neighborhood life in South Central Los Angeles.
Also starring Chris Tucker, the original movie in the series was a surprise hit, grossing more than $27 million on a reported $3.5 million budget. This impressive return on investment established the franchise as a financially viable property and launched both Ice Cube and Tucker into mainstream comedy success.
While Tucker did not return for the sequels, the franchise continued with new supporting characters, including Mike Epps as Day-Day. Epps brought his own comedic style to the series, helping to evolve the franchise while maintaining its core appeal.
Beyond Friday, Ice Cube has had a prolific film career. His transition from music to cinema represents one of the most successful crossovers in entertainment history.
He wrote and directed The Players Club, which came out in 1998, and starred in action films such as xXx: State of the Union (2005) and comedies including Are We There Yet?, which was released the same year. His versatility as both a dramatic and comedic actor has expanded his appeal to diverse audiences.
He has also worked as a producer on numerous projects, including the Ride Along series with comic Kevin Hart. His production company, Cube Vision, has been instrumental in bringing culturally significant stories to mainstream audiences.
The announcement of Last Friday has generated significant buzz on social media, with longtime fans expressing excitement about revisiting the world and characters that have become emblematic of 90s comedy.
