Let's be real for a second. We’ve been hearing about a new Friday movie for basically twenty years. It became one of those urban legends in Hollywood, like the Dr. Dre Detox album or a version of Spawn that doesn't look like a PS2 cutscene. But things changed recently. If you've been tracking the latest news on a new film with Ice Cube, you know the "Don’t hold your breath" era is officially over.
The Long Road to Last Friday
Honestly, the drama behind the scenes was almost better than the movies themselves. For a decade, Cube was locked in a cold war with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. He wanted the rights. They wanted the control. It was a mess.
Then came 2024 and 2025. Leadership changes at Warner Bros. finally put Mike De Luca in the big chair—the same guy who was there when the first Friday was a tiny $3 million experiment in 1995. Suddenly, the "No" became a "Yes." The deal is signed, the ink is dry, and Last Friday is moving into pre-production.
But wait. There’s a catch. Or rather, a few major changes that most people aren't talking about yet.
The Boondocks Connection
One of the most insane details to surface in late 2025 is that Ice Cube brought in Aaron McGruder to help with the script. Yes, the creator of The Boondocks. Mike Epps basically leaked this on The Breakfast Club, and it makes perfect sense. If you want to make a movie about the "neighborhood" in 2026, you can't just recycle 1995 jokes.
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The world is different. Gentrification, social media, the gig economy—it’s all part of the landscape now. McGruder’s involvement suggests this isn't going to be a lazy nostalgia trip. It’s likely going to have that sharp, satirical edge that made the original film feel so authentic and dangerous at the same time.
Is Chris Tucker Actually Coming Back?
This is the billion-dollar question. Every time a new film with Ice Cube gets mentioned, the internet starts screaming for Smokey. For years, Tucker said no because of his religious beliefs and the whole "weed comedy" stigma.
Here’s the reality:
- Negotiations are active. Unlike the 2010s, where they weren't even talking, Cube and Tucker have been seen together recently.
- The Script Factor. Tucker reportedly told Cube he wouldn't return just for a paycheck. He wants the story to be "right."
- The "Old Man" Dynamic. The vision for Last Friday isn't two guys sitting on a porch. It's about Craig and Smokey (or Day-Day) navigating a world that has moved on without them.
While we haven't seen an official "Smokey is Back" poster yet, the momentum is higher than it’s ever been. Mike Epps is already confirmed to return as Day-Day, which means even if Tucker stays on the sidelines, the Craig/Day-Day chemistry is still the engine.
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The War of the Worlds "Screenlife" Experiment
Now, if you’re looking for a new film with Ice Cube that you can actually watch right now, you might have missed his weirdest project yet. In mid-2025, a movie titled War of the Worlds dropped on Prime Video.
It’s not a Spielberg-style blockbuster.
It’s a "screenlife" movie, directed by Rich Lee. Think Searching or Unfriended, where everything happens on a computer screen or a phone. Cube plays Will Radford, a cybersecurity expert for Homeland Security.
Why It Was Controversial
- The Style: Some fans hated it. Watching Ice Cube FaceTime his daughter (played by Iman Benson) while aliens invade Earth through "data harvesting" wasn't what people expected from an action star.
- The Production: It was actually filmed years ago in near-isolation and sat in post-production for ages.
- The Reception: Critics were brutal. It’s sitting at a 4% on Rotten Tomatoes.
It’s a bizarre entry in his filmography. It feels more like a tech-thriller than a sci-fi epic. If you go into it expecting Cube to punch an alien in the face, you’re going to be disappointed. But as a commentary on surveillance and how we experience tragedy through our devices? It’s... interesting. Not necessarily "good," but definitely a choice.
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What Happened to Humbug?
People keep asking about Humbug, the contemporary retelling of A Christmas Carol with Cube as a Scrooge-like real estate mogul. This project has moved around more than a nomad. It started at Universal, then went to Netflix, and now it seems to be in a "development holding pattern."
Is it canceled? Probably not. Cube Vision usually gets things made eventually. But with Last Friday taking priority, don't expect to see Cube shouting "Bah Humbug" until at least the 2027 holiday season.
The Reality of Getting These Movies Made
Making a new film with Ice Cube in 2026 isn't as simple as it was in the '90s. The mid-budget comedy is almost extinct in theaters. Most of these projects are either going to be massive streaming plays or specific "event" theatrical releases.
Cube has been very vocal about "not dicking around." He’s frustrated that legends from the original cast, like John Witherspoon (Pops) and Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. (Deebo), passed away while the studio was stalling. That sense of urgency is what’s driving the current production of Last Friday. They want to honor the legacy before more of the original magic is lost.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on the next new film with Ice Cube, here is what you actually need to do:
- Watch "The Killer's Game": If you missed it, Cube has a solid supporting role alongside Dave Bautista in this action-comedy. It’s a return to the "tough but funny" Cube we love.
- Follow the Writers: Keep an eye on Aaron McGruder’s social feeds or interviews. He’s notoriously private, but any mention of a "West Coast project" is a dog whistle for Friday.
- Check Prime Video for the 2025 War of the Worlds: Even if the reviews are bad, it’s a fascinating look at Cube trying something completely outside his comfort zone.
- Ignore the "Fan Trailers": YouTube is currently flooded with AI-generated trailers for Last Friday featuring fake footage of Chris Tucker. If the trailer looks like a blurry dream, it’s fake. The real one likely won't drop until late 2026.
The era of Ice Cube just being a "basketball league guy" is shifting back to cinema. Between the screenlife experiments and the long-awaited return to the 213, the next two years are going to be the busiest the Cube Vision team has been in decades.