Movies get stuck. It happens all the time in Hollywood, but the drama surrounding the Ice Cube movie Last Friday is on another level of frustrating. Fans have been waiting over twenty years to see Craig and Willie Jones back on a porch in South Central. We’ve seen rumors. We’ve seen scripts. We’ve seen Ice Cube go on talk shows and vent his lungs out about why this thing isn't in theaters yet.
Honestly, it’s a mess.
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The original Friday (1995) was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment. It wasn't just a "stoner comedy." It was a cultural snapshot that cost about $3.5 million to make and ended up grossing nearly $30 million. It turned Ice Cube from a "scary" rapper into a bankable movie star. It gave us Chris Tucker’s Smokey. Then came Next Friday and Friday After Next. While the sequels shifted the vibe, the demand for a fourth installment—the legendary Last Friday—has never actually gone away.
The New Line Cinema Standoff
The biggest hurdle for the Ice Cube movie Last Friday isn't a lack of interest. It’s a legal and creative tug-of-war between Ice Cube and Warner Bros. (which owns New Line Cinema).
Cube has been very vocal about this. He doesn't own the rights to the Friday franchise. Warner Bros. does. For years, Cube has been trying to get them to greenlight the final script, but the studio has reportedly rejected multiple versions. According to Cube, the studio's notes were "crazy," and they essentially claimed the timing wasn't right or the script didn't hit the mark.
In a 2022 appearance on Mike Tyson’s Hotboxin’ podcast, Cube got real about the situation. He mentioned that Warner Bros. wanted him to pay for the rights to his own franchise if he wanted to take it elsewhere. He wasn't having it. "I ain't paying for my own stuff," he basically told them. It's a classic Hollywood stalemate. One side has the money and the rights; the other side has the creative vision and the fan base. Neither is budging.
A Legacy Without John Witherspoon
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. John Witherspoon, who played the iconic Mr. Jones (Pops), passed away in 2019.
You can't just replace "Pops." His chemistry with Ice Cube was the heartbeat of the sequels. When Witherspoon died, it felt like the soul of the Ice Cube movie Last Friday took a massive hit. Cube has expressed deep regret that the movie didn't get made while Witherspoon was still alive. He’s gone on record saying the studio "tripped" and delayed the process so long that they lost one of the most vital pieces of the puzzle.
It's not just him, either. Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., who played the neighborhood bully Deebo, passed away in 2020.
Making the movie now would feel different. It would have to be a tribute as much as a comedy. How do you write a Friday movie without the two biggest supporting characters from the original era? It’s a creative challenge that has likely contributed to the script being rewritten a dozen times. Fans still hold out hope that Mike Epps (Day-Day) and maybe—just maybe—Chris Tucker would return, but the loss of the older generation leaves a void that no amount of cameos can fill.
The Chris Tucker Question
Everyone asks: Will Smokey be in Last Friday?
Short answer: Probably not. Long answer: It's complicated. Chris Tucker famously walked away from the franchise after the first film because of his religious beliefs. He didn't want to be seen on camera smoking weed and cussing anymore. He’s stuck to his guns for decades.
Cube has said he offered Tucker $10 million to return for Next Friday back in the day, and Tucker turned it down. While there are always whispers that Tucker might do a small cameo for the finale to "close the book," there has been zero official confirmation. Without Tucker and without Witherspoon, the "Last Friday" title feels more like a somber goodbye than a rowdy celebration.
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What the Script Was Actually About
Rumors about the plot for the Ice Cube movie Last Friday have leaked out over the years. One of the most prominent ideas involved Craig and Day-Day in a sort of "role reversal" situation, or perhaps dealing with the gentrification of their old neighborhood.
Cube mentioned in various interviews that he wanted the movie to feel current. In the 90s, the struggle was about paying a $200 water bill or avoiding the neighborhood bully. In 2026, the world is different. The neighborhood is different. There was even a version of the script where the characters ended up in prison, but Cube reportedly hated that direction because it took away the "neighborhood porch" feel that makes the movies work.
The beauty of the Friday series is its simplicity. It’s about a day in the life. You don't need a high-concept plot about a heist or an international conspiracy. You just need a couple of guys, a few funny neighbors, and a lot of relatable problems.
Why We Still Care
It’s about nostalgia, sure. But it’s also about the fact that we don't get many "hangout" movies anymore. Everything now is a superhero epic or a high-stakes thriller. The Ice Cube movie Last Friday represents a return to a type of filmmaking that was purely about character and dialogue.
- Cultural Impact: Phrases like "Bye, Felicia" started here.
- The Soundtrack: The first movie had one of the best West Coast soundtracks of all time.
- Relatability: Everyone knows a "Smokey" or a "Deebo."
The franchise has this weird staying power. Kids who weren't even born in 1995 are watching Friday on streaming services today and quoting it. That’s why the demand for a final chapter stays so high. People want to see Craig win one last time.
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The Current Status of the Project
As of right now, the Ice Cube movie Last Friday is in a state of "protracted development." Cube hasn't given up, but he’s also busy. He has the Big3 basketball league, his music career, and other film projects.
There were some positive noises in 2023 and 2024 about "renewed talks" between Cube and the new leadership at Warner Bros. Discovery. With the studio looking to leverage its existing IP (intellectual property), a low-budget, high-return comedy like Last Friday makes a lot of financial sense. However, until a camera actually starts rolling, take every "confirmation" you see on social media with a grain of salt.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking the progress of this movie, don't get fooled by fake trailers on YouTube. There are dozens of them with millions of views using AI-generated voices and old clips. Here is how to actually stay informed:
- Follow Ice Cube’s Official Channels: He is the only source that matters. If it's happening, he will announce it on his Twitter (X) or Instagram first.
- Check Trade Publications: Look at Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, or Deadline. If a deal is signed, these outlets will report the contract details.
- Support the Classics: Studios look at streaming numbers. If Friday is trending on Netflix or Max, it proves to the "suits" that the audience is still there.
- Manage Expectations: Understand that if the movie does happen, it will look very different. It will be a legacy sequel, likely introducing a younger generation while giving Cube a final curtain call.
The Ice Cube movie Last Friday remains one of the most anticipated "unmade" movies in Hollywood history. Whether it eventually breaks out of development hell or remains a "what if" story depends entirely on whether a rapper from Crenshaw and a boardroom in Burbank can finally see eye to eye. Until then, we’ve still got the original trilogy to keep us busy on a slow afternoon.