New Line and Ice Cube are framing this as a seamless evolution of a cult classic, leveraging Lawrence Lamont’s recent critical and commercial success with One of Them Days to modernize the franchise for a new generation while keeping the core South Central LA vibe intact.
Insiders are buzzing about the choice of Lawrence Lamont over a veteran comedy director, signaling a deliberate pivot to capture the Gen Z audience that propelled One of Them Days to the top of Netflix charts. There is also chatter about why Chris Tucker isn’t attached, despite the original film’s massive reliance on his chemistry with Cube.
The last Friday film, Friday After Next, was released in 2002. New Line received a $11.4 million California production incentive for Last Friday. Lawrence Lamont’s One of Them Days grossed over $51 million worldwide and held the No. 1 spot on Netflix for four consecutive weeks. Lamont won an MTV VMA for the video 'Light' and was nominated for 'I Don't F*** With You'.
Ice Cube is betting big on Lawrence Lamont’s fresh perspective to revive a dormant franchise, but the absence of Chris Tucker and the 24-year gap make this a high-stakes gamble for New Line.
The wait is finally over, or so they claim. For the first time in twenty-four years, the streets of South Central Los Angeles are getting a new buddy comedy installment, and the man behind the camera is not who you might expect. Lawrence Lamont, the director who made waves last year with the smash hit One of Them Days, has been officially tapped to direct Last Friday.
This move signals a major shift in strategy for New Line Cinema, which is dusting off its most beloved cult franchise after a hiatus that dates back to the release of Friday After Next in 2002. Ice Cube, the undeniable heart and soul of the original trilogy, is not just returning; he is taking full creative control. Cube wrote the script for Last Friday and will star in the feature, continuing his legacy as the voice of the neighborhood.
He is also producing the film alongside Bob Teitel and Michael Gruber of CubeVision, while Jeff Kwatinetz serves as executive producer. The original 1995 film, directed by F. Gary Gray and co-written by Cube and DJ Pooh, featured Cube and Chris Tucker in iconic roles as Craig Jones and Smokey, respectively.
While Tucker starred only in the first installment, his absence from this new project has already sparked speculation among fans who crave that specific dynamic. Lamont’s selection is a calculated play to bridge the gap between the old school and the new. After gaining recognition for directing music videos for heavyweights like Big Sean, J.
Cole, and Snoop Dogg, Lamont made his directorial debut with One of Them Days. His music video credentials include an MTV Video Music Award win for the video 'Light' and a nomination for 'I Don't F*** With You', proving his visual storytelling chops before he ever touched a feature script. That film, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, was a massive success, grossing more than $51 million worldwide on a $14 million budget.
It later dominated the streaming landscape, holding the No. 1 spot on Netflix for four consecutive weeks. Lamont’s work on that project earned him the AAFCA Breakthrough Director Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination, proving he can handle the comedic timing and cultural specificity that the Friday franchise demands. The production details reveal the scale of this comeback.
Last Friday will be shot in Southern California, taking advantage of the state’s production incentives. New Line has secured $11.4 million in California tax credits for the project, which plans for 40 filming days. The production is expecting a cast of 43 members and a crew of 150, indicating a substantial budget and scope.
While the original film defined a generation, this new entry aims to recapture that magic for an audience that discovered One of Them Days on streaming platforms. With Cube back in the driver’s seat and Lamont behind the camera, the stakes have never been higher for a franchise that has been dormant for over two decades.
