After years of setbacks and studio conflicts, Ice Cube has announced that a fourth installment in the popular “Friday” franchise is finally gaining traction at Warner Bros. Discovery. The rapper-turned-actor shared the news during an appearance on Flavor Flav’s “Flavor of the Week” radio show, citing recent leadership changes at the studio as a pivotal factor in moving the project forward.
“We finally got some traction with Warner Bros. They have new leadership,” Ice Cube explained, referring to Mike De Luca, who now serves as co-chair and CEO of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. De Luca, who joined WBD in June 2022, previously worked at New Line Cinema when the original “Friday” was produced in 1995.
Ice Cube expressed both excitement and caution about the project’s development. “We’re working on it, we’re working on it,” he said, but emphasized that “it’s got to be done right” or they “shouldn’t f–k with it.” The star has been pushing for a new installment for years, facing numerous obstacles in his attempts to bring “Last Friday” to fruition.
The delay has not been without consequences. Ice Cube lamented the passing of key cast members during the prolonged development process, including John Witherspoon, Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr., and A.J. Johnson. “Man, we keep losing people. And y’all keep d–king around, not doing the movie the way it needs to be done,” he stated, expressing frustration with the studio’s previous approach.
The “Friday” franchise, which began in 1995 and saw its last installment, “Friday After Next,” released in 2002, has been a cultural touchstone and box office success. According to Box Office Mojo, the three films have collectively grossed over $118 million, with each sequel outperforming its predecessor.
Ice Cube’s struggle to regain control of the project has been well-documented. In a previous interview on the “Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson” podcast, he revealed that the script had undergone two rewrites before being buried under studio notes. “I don’t know what they’re doing; they don’t know what they’re doing. We’d love to have it back,” he said at the time.
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The potential revival of the “Friday” franchise comes as Warner Bros. Discovery, like many studios, is looking to leverage existing intellectual property. With De Luca at the helm, there seems to be renewed interest in bringing Ice Cube’s vision to the screen.
While details about the plot and potential returning cast members remain scarce, the project’s forward momentum is a positive sign for fans who have long awaited another installment. Chris Tucker, who starred in the original film, has previously indicated he would consider returning to the franchise if presented with the right script.
As development continues, Ice Cube remains committed to ensuring the film meets the high standards set by its predecessors. “It’s my movie, but they have distribution control,” he noted, highlighting the delicate balance between creative vision and studio oversight.
For now, fans of the “Friday” franchise can take heart that their patience may soon be rewarded, as Ice Cube and Warner Bros. Discovery work towards bringing this long-awaited sequel to theaters.
