Ice Cube picks Lawrence Lamont to direct ‘Last Friday,’ signaling fresh momentum for ‘Friday 4’

The fourth trip back to Craig’s block just took a real step forward: Lawrence Lamont will direct Last Friday, reuniting with Ice Cube after Lamont’s recent feature One of Them Days — which starred Keke Palmer and SZA and had Cube on board as a producer — according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Cube isn’t just returning in front of the camera. He’s set to write, star and produce, with original co-creator DJ Pooh involved. Aaron McGruder, the creator of The Boondocks, is co-writing the screenplay with Cube, per THR.

It ’s the first Friday installment since Friday After Next hit theaters in 2002. Story details and a release date haven’t been announced, but locking a director is the clearest sign yet the long-discussed sequel is actually moving.

Where it left off

• Friday (1995) — F. Gary Gray’s original followed Craig and Smokey through one chaotic day in South Central L.A.
• Next Friday (2000) — Craig relocated to the suburbs, with trouble following him to Rancho Cucamonga.
• Friday After Next (2002) — A Christmas- set caper brought a neighborhood thief into the mix.

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Cube has been public about wanting a fourth film for years, dropping reminders along the way that he hadn’t let it go.

“should we make a new friday movie??? wanna hear some thoughts….”

He kept talking about it as far back as a decade ago, even swapping notes with castmates in real life.

“Went to my homie Mike Epps party last night. It was good to see Mike and his family. We talked about the new Friday movie. Had fun.”

What’s next

The production has been awarded a California tax credit, and Cube has said filming will stay in Southern California, employing more than 180 local cast and crew members. Plot specifics are under wraps, and no release date is set.

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