New Line Cinema
The franchise on Friday has officially returned. After years of delays and behind the scenes obstacles, Ice Cube has returned to write and star in the much-anticipated fourth entry in the iconic comedy series.
The news came directly from New Line Cinema president and CCO Richard Brenner. He confirmed the project in a new interview with the Hollywood Reporter. “We’re making another Friday, and we wrote and starred to close our deal with Ice Cube,” Brenner said before unveiling the film’s title. “I’m going to be called last Friday.”
This illustrates the major developments of the franchise that have remained dormant for over 20 years. Directed by F. Gary Gray (The Straight Outta Compton, Italian Work), and co-written by Cube and the DJ Poo tribe, the original Friday was released in 1995 and became a cult hit, giving birth to the next Friday (2000) and the next Friday (2002). The idea for the fourth film has been coming up for years, but has never crossed the planning stage until now.
Cubes never etch words, but they have previously complained about the long delays. Speaking at the 2019 John Witherspoon’s Life Celebration, he revealed that the actor wrote the role of Craig’s father with Witherspoon in mind, as reminded of his own father. Witherspoon appeared in all three Friday movies. Tackling years of stalled advances, Cube didn’t even name Studio Head. “I really apologize to my friend for not making the film for the next Friday. That’s not my fault. Some of the Hollywood idiots in New Line Films said with laughter from the audience. “If I feel I’m feeling I can email Toby Emmerich (former New Line Cinema President and COO) and Richard Brenner (currently new Line Cinema President and CCO) and I gave Punk two scripts.
Sadly, last Friday moves ahead without some of the franchise’s most beloved characters. Witherspoon passed away in 2019, but Tommy Lister Jr., known for his role as Deebo, passed away in 2020. Their absence is undoubtedly felt by longtime fans. Still, with Cube returning to lead and creatively driving the project, the film appears to celebrate the legacy of what has come before, moving the story forward.
Although no release date was announced last Friday, with Ice Cube officially on board as a writer and star and ready for a new line, the next chapter of Saga in the upcoming comedy (and whatever title it is) may finally be within reach.
