Ice Cube and Mike Epps Confirm Last Friday is Finally Happening

The wait is finally over. After three decades, the legendary Friday franchise is officially making a comeback. Ice Cube and Mike Epps are leading the charge, not just with a special 30th-anniversary celebration but with confirmation that the long-awaited fourth film, Last Friday, is now in active development.

This news arrives as fans prepare for a one-night-only live event commemorating the original film's release on April 26, 1995. The announcement has reignited excitement for a series that redefined urban cinema and launched countless catchphrases into the cultural lexicon.

The first Friday film, co-written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh and directed by F. Gary Gray, was a sleeper hit, grossing $27 million worldwide against a modest $3.5 million budget. It quickly became a cult classic, praised for its authentic, yet often humorous, depiction of African American life in urban settings, offering a refreshing contrast to the more somber "hood films" of its era.

Its success spawned two sequels: Next Friday in 2000, which became the highest-grossing installment at $59.8 million, and Friday After Next in 2002. The franchise also ventured into animation with Friday: The Animated Series in 2007, further cementing its place in popular culture. The films are credited with influencing street fashion and inspiring iconic internet memes, most notably "Bye, Felicia," and significantly boosted the career of Chris Tucker, who starred as Smokey.

The path to Last Friday, however, has been anything but smooth. For over a decade, the project has been stuck in what many describe as "development hell." Ice Cube, born O'Shea Jackson Sr. on June 15, 1969, a pioneering figure in gangsta rap who rose to fame with N.W.A. in the late 1980s, has been the driving force behind the fourth film. While known for his music and roles in films like Boyz n the Hood and the Barbershop franchise, Friday notably reshaped his public image, showcasing his comedic talent and versatility.

Ice Cube has been vocal about his frustrations with Warner Bros., the studio holding distribution rights. Since 2011, he reportedly penned multiple scripts for Last Friday, all of which were allegedly rejected. His public criticism escalated in 2021 and 2022, leading him to launch a #FreeFriday campaign. Reports indicated ongoing disputes over creative control, with Ice Cube's representatives alleging excessive script notes and even discrimination, while Warner Bros. reportedly countered that the multi-hyphenate artist was distracted by other projects.

One particular rejected script concept reportedly envisioned protagonists Craig and Day-Day behind bars for selling weed before its legalization, a storyline the studio allegedly deemed "not funny." Mike Epps, born Michael Elliot Epps on November 18, 1970, a celebrated stand-up comedian and actor, who famously took over the role of Day-Day in Next Friday and Friday After Next, has consistently expressed his eagerness to return to the franchise, aligning with Ice Cube's vision for its continuation.