It’s been over twenty years. Two decades since Craig and Day-Day dealt with a pimp-turned-Santa Claus and a landlord named Mrs. Pearly. If you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably spent a significant portion of your weekends watching the Friday trilogy on cable or a scratched DVD. Naturally, fans have spent the better part of the last fifteen years Googling Friday After Next 2 or searching for any scrap of news regarding Last Friday.
People want it. Ice Cube wants it. But the reality of getting another sequel off the ground is a mess of red tape, corporate stubbornness, and the heartbreaking loss of the actors who made the original world feel alive.
The Confusion Surrounding Friday After Next 2
Let's clear something up right away: there isn't actually a movie titled Friday After Next 2. When people search for that, they are usually looking for the long-promised fourth installment, officially titled Last Friday. The naming convention gets confusing because the third movie was Friday After Next, so the digital hive mind naturally assumes the next one is just a numerical sequel.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a tragedy. Ice Cube has been very vocal—sometimes even angry—about the status of the film. For years, the script has been sitting there. He’s ready. The fans are ready. But the rights to the franchise are currently held by Warner Bros. (specifically under the New Line Cinema banner). Cube has famously stated in interviews, including a notable sit-down on Drink Champs, that the studio hasn't been willing to greenlight the budget or the creative direction he wants.
They wanted a specific type of movie. He wanted his vision. And when two immovable objects meet, the fans are the ones who lose out.
Why We Still Care About the Neighborhood
The original 1995 Friday was lightning in a bottle. It cost nearly nothing to make and turned into a cultural juggernaut. By the time we got to the third movie, the tone had shifted from a "day in the life" stoner comedy to something more slapstick and cartoonish. Still, the characters stayed grounded in a way that felt like home to a lot of people.
The chemistry between Ice Cube and Mike Epps is the engine. It’s chaotic. It’s loud. It’s undeniably funny.
Think about the stakes in these movies. They are never about saving the world. They are about paying rent. They are about avoiding the neighborhood bully. They are about trying to get a job on your day off. That relatability is why a potential Friday After Next 2—or Last Friday—remains such a hot topic. We don't need a Marvel-sized budget. We just want to see Craig and Day-Day one last time.
The Tragic Loss of the Original Cast
One of the biggest hurdles for any future sequel is the fact that the "Friday family" has lost some of its most essential members. It’s hard to imagine a Friday movie without the legendary John Witherspoon. As Mr. Jones (Pops), he provided the heart and the most iconic lines of the series. From his "public service announcements" in the bathroom to his obsession with coordinating his outfits, Witherspoon was irreplaceable.
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Then there's Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., who played Deebo. He passed away in 2020. Without the neighborhood’s ultimate antagonist, the dynamic of the South Central streets feels empty. Anthony "AJ" Johnson, who played Ezal, also passed away in 2021.
- John Witherspoon (Pops): Died in 2019.
- Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. (Deebo): Died in 2020.
- Anthony Johnson (Ezal): Died in 2021.
This creates a massive creative void. How do you write a script for Friday After Next 2 when the pillars of the community are gone? Ice Cube has mentioned that he wrote several versions of the script while Witherspoon was still alive, and his passing was a major blow to the project's momentum. You can't just recast Pops. You just can't.
The Rights Battle: Cube vs. Warner Bros.
This is where things get "business-heavy" and honestly, kind of frustrating. Ice Cube has repeatedly asked Warner Bros. to give him back the rights to the franchise. He argues that if they aren't going to make the movie, they should let him take it elsewhere.
Warner Bros. sees it differently. They own the IP. Intellectual property is gold in Hollywood. Even if a project is dormant, studios are hesitant to let go of a brand that has a guaranteed audience. This has led to a public back-and-forth where Cube has accused the studio of "holding the franchise hostage." It’s a classic Hollywood standoff. One side wants creative freedom and ownership; the other side wants to protect its corporate assets.
Is there a world where they reach a deal? Maybe. But as the years pass, the window for a "legacy sequel" starts to close.
What a Potential Sequel Would Actually Look Like
If Friday After Next 2 ever moves from a dream to a reality, what would the story even be? Cube has teased bits and pieces over the years. The general idea for Last Friday involved Craig and Day-Day back in the neighborhood, perhaps dealing with the kids of the characters we grew up with.
Imagine a middle-aged Craig trying to navigate a world that has completely changed since 1995. Social media, gentrification, the legalization of the very thing that got him in trouble in the first place—there's a lot of comedic meat on those bones.
The tone would have to be different. It would need to acknowledge the losses. It would need to be a "passing of the torch" while still giving the OGs their moment. Mike Epps is still very much active and has expressed interest in returning as Day-Day. The chemistry is likely still there, even if the knees are a little creakier.
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The Chris Tucker Factor
We have to talk about Smokey. The biggest question surrounding any sequel—including the hypothetical Friday After Next 2—is whether Chris Tucker will ever return. Tucker famously walked away from the sequels because of his religious beliefs and a desire to move away from the weed-heavy comedy that defined the first film.
He’s been asked about it a thousand times. His answer is usually a polite "no" or a "maybe if the script is right." Most fans have accepted that Smokey isn't coming back. But in a world of surprise cameos and massive "legacy" paychecks, you can never say never. Even a five-minute scene with Craig and Smokey sitting on a porch would probably be enough to break the internet.
Why the "Friday" Formula is Hard to Replicate
There have been plenty of "hood comedies" since the 90s. Some were great, many were terrible. But the Friday series has a specific DNA. It’s a mix of slapstick, social commentary, and genuine "kickback" vibes.
You can't just put two funny guys on a porch and call it Friday. It requires a specific understanding of the rhythm of the street. It requires characters like Pinky (played by Clifton Powell) who can walk the line between terrifying and hilarious. It requires a soundtrack that captures the soul of the West Coast.
When people search for Friday After Next 2, they aren't just looking for jokes. They are looking for a feeling. They are looking for that specific brand of nostalgia that reminds them of a time when the biggest problem in the world was whether or not Big Worm was coming for his money.
The Reality Check: Is it Actually Happening?
As of early 2026, there is no official production date for Last Friday. The project remains in "development hell," a term used for scripts that are caught in a cycle of rewrites and legal disputes.
However, there is a glimmer of hope. In recent years, the industry has seen a massive surge in reviving 90s and 2000s properties. From Bad Boys to Coming 2 America, studios are realizing that nostalgia sells. If Warner Bros. sees a path to a significant profit, or if they decide to use the movie as a major draw for their streaming platforms, the gears could start turning again.
Ice Cube isn't getting any younger, and he knows it. He’s been pushing harder than ever to get this made as a tribute to the fans and the cast members who are no longer here.
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Actionable Steps for Fans of the Franchise
While we wait for the corporate lawyers to figure things out, there are ways to keep the spirit of the series alive and stay informed.
Support the Cast’s Current Projects
Most of the surviving cast members are still working. Supporting their current stand-up specials, indie films, and business ventures keeps their profiles high, which in turn makes them more "bankable" for a sequel.
Watch the "Director’s Cut" and Commentaries
If you haven't watched the movies with the director’s commentary, you’re missing out. You get a real sense of how much improv went into the films. It also highlights why Friday After Next 2 is so hard to write—the original success was largely based on the actors' ability to riff off one another in the moment.
Stay Vocal on Social Media
It sounds silly, but studios actually track social media sentiment. When Last Friday or Friday After Next 2 trends, executives notice. If there is a clear, massive demand for the movie, it shifts the leverage in favor of the creators.
Revisit the Soundtracks
The Friday soundtracks are legendary. They are time capsules of West Coast hip-hop and soul. Listening to them is the quickest way to get back into that headspace while the legal battles play out in the background.
The road to a new Friday movie is paved with obstacles, but the cult following hasn't dimmed. Whether it's through a surprise announcement or a long-awaited settlement between Cube and the studio, the demand for one last trip to the neighborhood isn't going anywhere. We’re all just waiting for that one Friday where the news finally breaks.
Next Steps for Deep Diving into the Franchise:
- Research the Ice Cube and Warner Bros. Dispute: Search for the 2021 and 2022 legal filings and public statements to understand the specific "work-for-hire" clauses holding up the project.
- Follow the Cast on Social Media: Specifically Mike Epps and Ice Cube, as they are the primary sources for any genuine updates regarding Last Friday.
- Explore the "Friday" Cinematic Influence: Look into how the series influenced other "day-in-the-life" comedies like Barbershop or First Sunday.