It’s been 16 years since we watched Craig (Ice Cube) and Day-Day (Mike Epps) attempt to recoup their stolen rent money on Christmas Eve. Now, after many years of speculation, it appears the fourth and final installment of the popular Friday franchise — titled Last Friday — is becoming a reality.
Though there have been many “confirmations” in recent years, Epps made it official by posting an image of himself, Cube and comedian John Witherspoon on set.
Details about the film’s plot and cast are scarce, with the official IMDB page only listing Cube and Epps as cast members. However, here’s everything we know this far about Last Friday.
It will be a reunion — to some extent. On a 2017 episode of The Wendy Williams Show, Cube discussed the film’s delay, citing issues in getting the higher-ups to cut the check for the film. “It’s a big check,” he said, specifically stating that classic franchise mainstays like Epps, Witherspoon, Chris Tucker and Tiny Lister “want a bigger check.”
“They were all unknowns at the time,” Cube said. “Now, they’re household names.”
https://youtu.be/xIMhi1JD5yQ?t=1m12s
In a recent interview with DJ Vlad, Witherspoon discussed the original Friday — noting he and the other cast members were only paid $5,000 each for their roles — and spoke about how the budget for a new one would be astronomical in comparison to the original, which cost just $2 million and took only 20 days to film.
Sadly, it appears that one of the franchises most memorable characters, Chris Tucker’s Smokey, will likely not appear in the film. It’s widely known that money was the primary factor as to why he walked away from the franchise, eventually landing multi-million dollar paydays for his blockbuster Rush Hour trilogy.
“If I could’ve gotten a three-picture deal for $20 million each, I would’ve been right there with him,” Witherspoon told DJ Vlad.
It was recently announced that a fourth Rush Hour is in the works, which could conflict with filming Last Friday. But never say never.
“I’m definitely gonna look at it and see if it works, ‘Cause I never say never,” Tucker said of his return on ESPN’s The Plug Podcast earlier this year. “I definitely want to check it out. If it works, it’s a possibility.”
If the IMDB entry is to be believed, the film will finally come to fruition next year.
If Smokey doesn’t return, I don’t care about a “Last Friday”.
If I was Smokey I would appear first Friday and last Friday I will be still in rehab as I appear in last Friday “cut” Now give me my money.
I won’t necessarily say Chris is greedy…let’s be honest, he has paid his dues and his value indeeed has gone up.
You can’t compare the Kevin Hart of “lean back” music video by fat Joe to the Kevin Hart of Jumanji 2 – welcome to the jungle.
Values go up.
Let’s not be too selfish…
Can I blame Chris Tucker for wanting his feddy? No but this another case of a franchise going south because of the money, There should have been 5/6 Friday’s by now,just like Martin And Will in Bad boys the money could have been endless if you guys would have said if I do this one for a little lower dollar , I’ll get another and another!! Can see the forest for the trees!!
The first Friday was solid gold, the rest of them were wiggidy wiggidy wack. Unless Smokey is back, don’t make it O’Shea Sr.
Loved all three Friday’s. As far as Smokey goes, Day Day and Pinky stole the shoe from him, in my opinion. Not to mention the countless other characters that came along. I’m not sure Smokey would even work in a Friday movie at this point. Definitely can’t be mad about him chasing the bigger money. But when filming starts for Last Friday, if he’s got some time on his hands that won’t conflict with whatever else he might have going on it’d be nice to see him make a contribution. Looking forward to it regardless, been too long.
I watch next Friday last nite so on Xfinity cable yeah really good time a pipe with marijuana loaded all thru the movie
They could always kill Smokey off and bring in Dc young fly as his bastard son.
Black folk we lame ass fuck sometimes.
White folk will take a plate of sugar to work with that pedo Woody Allen especially if it was one of his movies that elevated their careers. Hell they do it with Kevin Smith all the time. This dude Chris Tucker can’t even make a cameo? Stuck up as dork
i smell brokeness with the attempt of this but all for it..black POWER!
maybe its that jizz, that you smell. Ice Cube broke? smh
Come back SMOKIE!!! Come back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You have sold the fuck out maaaynnn!!
Smokey.. STOP BEING A B!TCH AND C’MON!
Best comment of 2018
That’s pushing it
Chris Tucker is probably too damn grown at this point in his life to play “Smokey.” I could see him coming back as a born again pastor… who still smokes a lil bit on the side though!
sounds like if they cut the check to pay his price he’d be in
Or a Muslim Smokey
Man Tucker, do it for the Fans, and for the Movie, good luck if your doing it for the money…Fans gon dislike you if you dont come thru, how are u gonna ignore the Character that made you a household NAME in the 1st place?? Are you serious??? WTF?!?? Stupid…Rush Hour is alright, but ppl would pay top dollar to see another Friday movie…And you guys would make more profit..Take the $5000 if so be it, and do the damn movie…THIS is ridiculous…Good luck being in any future movies dude, take Last Friday over Rush Hour Part Too MANY…I was done after Rush Hour 2 which was a great movie…Cmon cut it out, and do Smokey dude…Silver Linings Playbook sucked by the way..Do it for the Character role dude…This Character made you…Just a thought…Peace…Friday and Money Talks were your best, and Rush Hour 2 honorable mention…Cmon Tucker dont make ppl beg you…Thats not cool bro..Stay Real…
I agree 100 percent Chris Tucker needs to do it for the fans its the last Friday Film …….
PS, we WONT wipe your ass for 3 dollahs….
I think Chris has 2 do what’s best for his self as well as his family. I agree 2 a certain degreee with everyone commenting previous on some issues; as a true fan who idolized the 1st installment of Fri day-and cube as well the o.g. I knew he has a mail financial obligation to pay irs bacc . It would be nice 2 c him n new Friday -i would feel like 95″ again @ the movie theater on release date if he does it.
smokey it ain’t enough?! it ain’t enough?! make it enough
Bro do the damn movie you’ve made plenty damn money. Take a small part we just wanna see if you can even still play the part or if you too washed up..
Hey cube I hear what you’re sayn about the actors getting paid but #1 ur a producer so I know even with Bill’s u got $$$$ 2nd you can allways finance the movie 3rd investors and last a fundraising film. So what’s the hold up now?
As many people that wanna see the film in sure every1 togethervwould give. I know I would. Thanks
I watch FRIDAY over n over again but if ur going out with a bang n this being the last installment of the franchise Friday u gotta have chris Tucker for real u should make last Friday like the original 1995 film with some mew cast members u get the picture u need to holla at chris Tucker n bring smokey back without him in it I can’t watch the new Last Friday film but I’m a huge fan of Cube ive always listed to his music n watched all his films can’t wait to see what happens. Big worm ain’t gonna do a goddamn thing he need me