Twenty-three years. That is how long it’s been since we last saw Craig Jones on the big screen. If you grew up watching the Friday trilogy, you know it isn’t just a series of stoner comedies; it’s a cultural touchstone that basically defined an era of Black cinema and West Coast vibes. But the drama surrounding Last Friday, the long-rumored fourth and final installment, has become way more complicated than anything that happened on that porch in South Central.
Honestly, it’s a mess. Ice Cube has been trying to get this movie made for over a decade, and yet, here we are in 2026, still waiting. You’ve probably seen the headlines or the occasional Instagram rant from Cube himself. The story of why this movie is stuck in "development hell" involves corporate gatekeeping, tragic deaths of key cast members, and a very public feud with Warner Bros. that just won't quit.
The Warner Bros. Standoff and the Rights Issue
The biggest hurdle for Last Friday isn't a lack of scripts or interest. It's ownership. Pure and simple. Warner Bros. owns the rights to the Friday franchise, and they aren't letting go. Ice Cube has been incredibly vocal about this, essentially accusing the studio of "kidnapping" the series.
He wants the rights back. He’s argued that since the studio refuses to greenlight the version of the script he wants to make, they should just let him take it elsewhere. Warner Bros., on the other hand, has historically claimed that Cube’s scripts haven't been quite right or were too expensive. It’s a classic Hollywood stalemate. One side wants creative control and ownership of their legacy, while the other side wants to protect an intellectual property they paid for, even if they aren't using it.
The tension peaked around 2021 when Cube's legal team reportedly sent a letter to Warner Bros. regarding the delay. The studio fired back, citing that Cube’s vision for the film—which reportedly involved some social commentary and a plot set in prison—wasn't what they were looking for.
Why the Script Kept Changing
Writing a sequel twenty years later is hard. Writing one after your funniest co-stars pass away is nearly impossible. Cube has admitted that he wrote multiple drafts of Last Friday.
The original plan? It was supposed to bring everyone back. But then life happened. John Witherspoon, who played the iconic Mr. Jones (Pops), passed away in 2019. His death was a massive blow to the production. You can’t really have a Friday movie without Pops’ wisdom and those legendary facial expressions. Then, we lost Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. (Deebo) in 2020.
Suddenly, the two biggest pillars of the franchise's supporting cast were gone.
📖 Related: Big Brother 27 Morgan: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Cube famously said that the studio "dawdled" so long that the people who made the movie special aren't even here to see it through. That frustration is real. Imagine having a project ready to go, and the gatekeepers wait so long that the heart of the story literally dies off. It forces a complete rewrite. How do you explain the absence of Pops? How do you replace the ultimate neighborhood bully? You don't. You have to pivot, and that's exactly where the creative friction with the studio intensified.
The Chris Tucker Question
Let's address the elephant in the room: Smokey. Everyone wants Chris Tucker back for Last Friday. It’s the number one question Cube gets asked.
The reality? It’s probably not happening, and it’s not because of beef.
Chris Tucker has been very open about why he walked away from the sequels in the first place. He’s a devout Christian now and has stated that he doesn't want to portray a character who smokes weed and uses heavy profanity. He’s even mentioned that he didn't want to encourage people to follow that lifestyle.
Cube has confirmed he offered Tucker huge sums of money—rumors say upwards of $10 million to $12 million—for the previous sequels, and Tucker turned it down. While fans hold out hope for a cameo, the likelihood of Smokey returning for a full-length feature is slim to none. It’s a bummer, sure, but you have to respect a man sticking to his principles, even if it means leaving millions on the table.
What Last Friday Was Actually Supposed to Be About
Before things went sideways with the studio, we had some glimpses into the plot.
At one point, the story was rumored to follow Craig and Day-Day (Mike Epps) as they dealt with the neighborhood changing—gentrification, new technology, and maybe even a stint in the local jail. Cube wanted to keep it grounded but also show how the world had moved on since Friday After Next.
👉 See also: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
There was a specific draft where the duo ended up in prison for some misunderstanding, which would have been a wild departure from the "sitting on the porch" formula. Warner Bros. reportedly hated that idea. They wanted the classic vibe. Cube wanted growth. That's the fundamental "creative differences" tag you see in trade magazines.
The Cultural Impact of the Delay
The longer we wait for Last Friday, the more the original movies cement themselves as untouchable classics. In a way, the delay has helped the "cult" status of the brand. You see Friday memes every single day. "Bye Felicia" is part of the global lexicon.
But there’s a risk here.
Comedy evolves. What was funny in 1995 or 2002 might not land the same way in 2026. There’s a very thin line between a nostalgic masterpiece and a "cringe" attempt to recapture lightning in a bottle. Look at other late-arrival sequels; some work, many don't. The pressure on Cube to deliver something that honors the memory of Witherspoon and Lister while staying fresh is immense.
The 2024-2025 "Thaw" in Relations?
In late 2024 and early 2025, there were whispers that the ice was finally melting between Cube and Warner Bros. Discovery.
The studio has been under new management, and they are looking for "sure thing" hits. A final Friday movie is a guaranteed box office draw for a specific demographic. Cube mentioned in a few interviews during his BIG3 basketball league promos that they were "talking" again.
"We’re finally in a place where we’re talking," he told some reporters. It wasn't a green light, but it was better than the "free the franchise" tweets of years past. Fans started getting hyped again. Is it actually happening?
✨ Don't miss: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Well, the 2026 landscape is weird. Streaming services are desperate for content, and theatrical releases are leaning heavily on IP. If Last Friday happens, it might look very different than the gritty, low-budget 1995 original. It’ll likely have a massive marketing budget and a soundtrack that features the new generation of West Coast rappers alongside the legends.
Why We Still Care
It’s about the feeling.
The first Friday was special because it felt like home. It wasn't about the hood as a place of constant violence; it was about the humor, the characters, and the boredom of a summer day. People want that one last ride with Craig. We want to see how he turned out. Is he a dad now? Is he still getting into trouble with Day-Day?
There is also a sense of closure needed for the fans. After the passing of the original cast members, Last Friday could serve as a tribute. A way to say goodbye to the neighborhood one last time.
The Reality Check: Obstacles Remaining
- Ownership: Until Warner Bros. signs off or sells the rights back, Cube can't film a single frame.
- Cast Availability: Mike Epps is busier than ever. Katt Williams (Money Mike) has his own massive career. Getting everyone in a room at the same time is a scheduling nightmare.
- The "Vibe" Shift: Can you make a movie that feels like Friday without being "PC" while still navigating 2026 sensitivities? It’s a tightrope walk.
Cube has remained stubborn, and honestly, that's why we like him. He isn't going to make a "watered down" version of his vision just to collect a paycheck. He wants the final chapter to be right.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you are following the saga of Last Friday, don't just wait for a trailer that might not come this year. Here is how you can actually engage with the franchise legacy right now:
- Support the Originals Correctly: Avoid the low-quality pirated versions on YouTube. The 4K restorations of the original Friday are out there, and they look incredible compared to the grainy DVDs we used to swap.
- Follow the Right Sources: Stop believing "fan-made" trailers on TikTok. They use AI to deepfake Chris Tucker into scenes, and it’s fake. Follow Ice Cube’s official Twitter (X) or Instagram for actual updates. He is the only one who will break the news when it’s real.
- Explore the Cast’s Current Projects: If you miss the chemistry, check out Mike Epps' latest stand-up specials or Cube’s work with the BIG3. They often bring out old cast members for appearances.
- Watch the Documentaries: There are several "Making Of" features on the Blu-ray releases that explain the shoestring budget of the first film. It gives you a lot of perspective on why the rights are so tangled up today.
The movie isn't dead, but it's on life support. Whether it ever makes it to the screen depends on if corporate suits can finally get out of the way of a creator who just wants to finish what he started thirty years ago.