Ice Cube has reflected on the process of making 2000 movie ‘Next Friday,’ revealing he initially had reservations about making a follow-up to the iconic 1995 movie Friday. The former NWA rapper explained that he didn’t feel a need to revisit the concept, but changed his mind after his associates convinced him. Cube admitted that if it was up to him, he “probably wouldn’t have” made the film, especially after hearing that co-star Chris Tucker wanted no part of it.
Cube was a guest on the latest episode of the YouTube show ‘Mavericks with Mav Carter,’ where he spoke about his venture into acting and screenwriting, the latter of which came at the suggestion of director John Singleton. Cube co-wrote the first Friday script, which chronicled the wild adventure of unemployed friends Craig Jones (played by Cube) and Smokey (played by Chris Tucker), who become indebted to a local drug dealer and have to deal with the neighbourhood bully.
‘Next Friday’ went on to make just under $60million (approximately £47.4million) and was followed by two more sequels, ‘Friday After Next’ in 2002 and ‘Friday: The Animated Series’ in 2007. Cube met comedic actors Mike Epps and Katt Williams and Terry Crews through the sequels.
Actor-comedian Tucker declined the offer to reprise the role of Smokey for the sequels, however in 2021, he expressed his interest in making a fourth Friday film, claiming “If it’s possible, if it comes together right, I would try to do it”. Ice Cube also started the #FreeFriday movement, alleging that Warner Bros, who own the rights to the cult film, refused to allow him to make another sequel.
Ice Cube has been working on Big3, the three-on-three basketball league he founded alongside Jeff Kwatinetz. Last September, he teased his return to music and is working on his 11th studio album
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