Ice Cube is set to return to the iconic “Friday” franchise after more than two decades. The rapper, actor, and producer has reached a deal with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema to write, star in, and develop a new film titled Last Friday. This marks the fourth installment in the beloved comedy series and the first in over 20 years, following Friday After Next in 2002.

Richard Brener, president and CCO of New Line, confirmed the deal in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, which was later confirmed by Variety. Ice Cube has long expressed interest in creating another chapter of the “Friday” saga, and this agreement to both star and direct signals significant progress for the project.

In June 2024, Ice Cube revealed that there was “traction” for Last Friday at the studio, citing discussions with Warner’s co-chief, Michael De Luca. Speaking on Flavor Flav’s SiriusXM show Flavor of the Week, Ice Cube mentioned the strong connection he had with De Luca, who was involved in the production of the original Friday films. “Mike De Luca was there when I first did the first ‘Friday’ and ‘Players Club,’” Cube shared. De Luca and Pamela Abdy took over Warner’s film division in 2022, further bolstering the chances for Last Friday to become a reality.

Ice Cube starred in all three previous “Friday” films: Friday (1995), Next Friday (2000), and Friday After Next (2002). He co-wrote the first film with DJ Pooh and served as the sole screenwriter for the two sequels. All three films were produced by New Line Cinema, which was headed by De Luca during the original trilogy’s production. In a move that would later prove to be pivotal for the “Friday” franchise, New Line was acquired by Warner Bros., placing the rights to the series under the studio’s control.

Fans of the “Friday” series have long awaited this return, and with Ice Cube back at the helm, Last Friday promises to be a highly anticipated continuation of the classic comedy saga.