What Happened to Friday (1995 film)?
The 1995 buddy stoner comedy film "Friday" became a cultural phenomenon, launching a successful franchise with two sequels, "Next Friday" (2000) and "Friday After Next" (2002). After decades of anticipation and development challenges, a fourth installment, "Last Friday," is officially in active development as of 2026, with Ice Cube, DJ Pooh, and Aaron McGruder writing, and Chris Tucker in talks to reprise his iconic role.
Quick Answer
The 1995 film "Friday" spawned a beloved comedy franchise, with sequels "Next Friday" (2000) and "Friday After Next" (2002). After years of development hell, the fourth and final installment, "Last Friday," is officially in active development as of July 2026, with production targeted for late 2026. Ice Cube is writing alongside DJ Pooh and Aaron McGruder, and Chris Tucker is reportedly in active discussions to return as Smokey, a highly anticipated reunion for fans. The new film is expected to address gentrification in the neighborhood and honor late cast members.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Original Film 'Friday' Released
The buddy stoner comedy 'Friday,' starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, directed by F. Gary Gray, is released to critical acclaim and commercial success, grossing $27.4 million on a $3.5 million budget and quickly becoming a cult classic.
Sequel 'Next Friday' Released
The first sequel, 'Next Friday,' is released, with Ice Cube reprising his role and Mike Epps joining the cast as Day-Day. Chris Tucker did not return as Smokey. The film grossed $59.8 million worldwide.
Third Film 'Friday After Next' Released
The third installment in the franchise, 'Friday After Next,' is released, again starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps. It grossed $33.5 million worldwide.
DJ Pooh Confirms 'Last Friday' is Happening
Co-writer DJ Pooh confirms the existence of a fourth film, 'Last Friday,' and defends Chris Tucker's decision to leave the franchise after the first film, stating Tucker had broader career aspirations.
John Witherspoon Passes Away
Beloved actor John Witherspoon, who played Willie Jones (Craig's father) in all three 'Friday' films, passes away, raising questions about the future of the franchise and how his character would be addressed.
Tommy 'Tiny' Lister Jr. Passes Away
Actor Tommy 'Tiny' Lister Jr., known for his iconic role as Deebo, the neighborhood bully, passes away, further impacting the potential cast of 'Last Friday.'
Ice Cube Reveals Rejected Scripts and Studio Delays
Ice Cube publicly reveals that two different scripts for 'Last Friday' had been rejected by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema, causing significant delays and his public frustration, including using the #FreeFriday hashtag.
Deal Closed for 'Last Friday'
After years of negotiations, Ice Cube officially closes a deal with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema to develop 'Last Friday,' marking a major breakthrough for the long-awaited sequel.
Aaron McGruder Joins Writing Team
Ice Cube announces that Aaron McGruder, creator of 'The Boondocks,' has signed on as a co-writer for 'Last Friday,' joining Ice Cube and DJ Pooh.
Ice Cube Provides Update on 'Friday 4' Progress
Ice Cube shares a fresh update on 'Friday 4,' confirming that progress is steady, the project is where it needs to be, and casting remains open with a strong desire to bring back familiar faces.
Ice Cube and Mike Epps Confirm 'Last Friday' Development and Chris Tucker Talks
Ice Cube and Mike Epps officially confirm that 'Last Friday' is in development, with production expected to begin later in 2026. They also reveal that Chris Tucker is in active discussions to return as Smokey.
Plot Details Revealed: Gentrification Theme
Ice Cube and Mike Epps reveal that the plot of 'Last Friday' will center on the gentrification of the beloved South Central Los Angeles neighborhood, providing a contemporary and relevant storyline.
'Last Friday' Remains in Active Development
As of today, 'Last Friday' is actively in development with a writing room underway. Production is targeted for late 2026, and Chris Tucker's return as Smokey is still in active, serious discussions, though no actors are officially signed. Ice Cube is pushing for an April 2027 release.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The 1995 film "Friday," directed by F. Gary Gray and co-written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, emerged as a groundbreaking buddy stoner comedy that defied the prevailing violent 'hood film' narratives of its era. Made on a modest budget of $3.5 million, it grossed over $27 million worldwide and quickly achieved cult classic status, lauded for its comedic sequences, writing, and the breakout performances of Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. Its cultural impact was profound, introducing iconic catchphrases like "Bye, Felicia" into the lexicon and influencing a new wave of Black stoner/buddy comedies.
The film's success led to two sequels. "Next Friday," released on January 12, 2000, saw Ice Cube return, but Chris Tucker declined to reprise his role as Smokey, reportedly due to his desire not to glamorize drug use and to pursue other acting opportunities. Mike Epps joined the cast as Craig's cousin Day-Day, a role he continued in "Friday After Next," which premiered on November 22, 2002. While these sequels expanded the franchise, the absence of Chris Tucker's Smokey remained a significant point of discussion among fans.
For over two decades, Ice Cube publicly championed the creation of a fourth and final film, tentatively titled "Last Friday." This journey was fraught with challenges, including disputes over creative control and multiple rejected scripts by Warner Bros. Ice Cube frequently expressed his frustration, even using the hashtag #FreeFriday to pressure the studio. Key turning points included the passing of beloved cast members, John Witherspoon (Mr. Jones) in October 2019 and Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. (Deebo) in December 2020, which added an emotional layer to the potential sequel, with Ice Cube confirming their legacies would be addressed respectfully in the new story.
The most significant development occurred in April 2025, when Ice Cube finally closed a deal with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema to develop "Last Friday." By November 2025, Aaron McGruder, creator of "The Boondocks," had joined Ice Cube and DJ Pooh as a co-writer, signaling a fresh creative direction. As of May and June 2026, Ice Cube and Mike Epps officially confirmed that "Last Friday" is in active development, with production targeted to begin in late 2026. Crucially, Chris Tucker is now in active talks to return as Smokey, a development that has generated immense excitement among fans, with both Ice Cube and Mike Epps expressing optimism about his involvement. The plot is expected to center on the theme of gentrification impacting the iconic South Central Los Angeles neighborhood, providing a contemporary backdrop for Craig and Day-Day's return. Ice Cube is reportedly pushing for an April 2027 release date.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Friday (1995 film) made different choices?