"Last Friday" Potentially Happening: Mike Epps Confirms Project Amidst Studio Disputes and Returning Cast Speculation

After years of fervent speculation and eager anticipation from fans worldwide, the possibility of a fourth installment in the beloved "Friday" film franchise, tentatively titled "Last Friday," appears to be gaining significant traction. Comedian Mike Epps, a prominent figure in the series after his roles in "Next Friday" and "Friday After Next" alongside Ice Cube, has publicly confirmed that the film is indeed in development.

Epps revealed this exciting news during a recent appearance on Power 105.1’s "The Breakfast Club," igniting a fresh wave of excitement among fans. "So, we doin’ the last ‘Friday’ man," Epps stated definitively on the radio show, marking what many consider the closest confirmation yet to the long-awaited sequel.

During the interview, Epps also paid tribute to Ice Cube, acknowledging his crucial role in launching the careers of numerous comedians and actors. "Shoutout to Cube, man. That’s another brother that’s put so many brothers on, man," Epps said. He further emphasized Cube’s significant contribution to the entertainment industry, pointing out, "Man, this dude put so many — and don’t really get the props for it. Put me, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, I mean name ’em."

The "Friday" films, known for their hilarious and relatable portrayal of everyday life in South Central Los Angeles, have served as a springboard for many talents in the entertainment industry. Alongside Epps, the franchise has helped catapult the careers of notable comedians and actors such as Bernie Mac, Katt Williams, Chris Tucker, Faizon Love, John Witherspoon, Nia Long, Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr., and Regina King, all of whom became household names after their appearances in the films.

While Epps has confirmed that a deal has been struck for "Last Friday," he candidly admitted that he has yet to read the script for the film. "But I’m pretty sure it’s good," the comedian added with a touch of humor and optimism.

The "Friday" film franchise, which consists of "Friday," "Next Friday," and "Friday After Next," has been produced and distributed by New Line Cinema, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. USA TODAY reached out to Warner Bros. for comments on the development of "Last Friday" but did not receive an immediate response.

Looking ahead to the potential for the new film, Epps expressed hope that "Last Friday" would be able to bring back some of the franchise’s original cast members while also introducing fresh comedic talent. He specifically named comedian D.C. Young Fly as a potential addition to the cast.

However, one returning cast member whose involvement remains uncertain is Chris Tucker, who played the iconic character Smokey in the original "Friday." In a 2021 interview with All Urban Central, Tucker explained that he decided against returning to the franchise due to concerns about his character promoting weed smoking. "Back then, I gotta tell you, one of the reasons why I didn’t do the second one was because of the weed," Tucker said. He elaborated further, "Because I said, Man, that movie became a phenomenon, I don’t want everybody smoking weed. And I never really told people this because I kind of forgot about it, but it was one of the reasons why I didn’t do it. Because I said, I don’t wanna represent everybody smoking weed."

Despite his initial reservations, Tucker did entertain the idea of returning for a fourth installment in the past, stating that he would consider it if presented with a compelling script and a great idea. "I always said, because I know my fans love the movies so much (and) they always bring it up, I said, ‘Well, if they come to me with a great script and a great idea, I’d definitely consider it. But it’s been so long ago and that character became such a great character. I don’t wanna mess it up.’"

Beyond Epps’ recent confirmation, there has been no definitive timeline or official announcement regarding the film. However, both Ice Cube and Katt Williams have previously stated that the film is in the works.

Ice Cube addressed the challenges in developing "Last Friday" during an interview on former NFL quarterback Cam Newton’s "Funky Friday" YouTube show. Cube attributed the film’s stalled development to disagreements with studio executives at Warner Bros. Entertainment. "With a Friday movie, I don’t want no studio telling me how to do this movie. I know these characters, know this culture and everything; I know what it needs to be, and they don’t," Cube stated firmly.

Despite these creative differences, Cube maintained a positive outlook, assuring fans that he and others involved would "do what we need to make it dope, make it funny (and) bring it up to date."

Katt Williams, who played the memorable character Money Mike in "Friday After Next," revealed that he was supposed to have been assisting Ice Cube with writing the script for the new movie during an interview with sports broadcaster and former NFL player Shannon Sharpe.

The prospect of "Last Friday" has generated a whirlwind of excitement and speculation among fans who have eagerly awaited the continuation of the franchise for years. While the details surrounding the film remain largely under wraps, the confirmation from Mike Epps, coupled with Ice Cube’s determination to bring the project to fruition, suggests that "Last Friday" may finally be on its way to becoming a reality. The dynamic between returning cast members and new comedic talent, alongside the creative vision of Ice Cube, holds the promise of delivering a hilarious and memorable addition to the "Friday" film series. However, the creative differences with the studio must be navigated to ensure a final product that remains true to the spirit of the franchise while also appealing to a contemporary audience.