The age of the sequel is very much upon us. It’s certainly nothing new to see popular films receive sequels, but the last few years have been defined by returns to long-neglected franchises. Fresh off Practical Magic 2 and The Devil Wears Prada 2, a new sequel is poised to renew hype for a classic story.
It’s been more than 20 years since the last film in the Friday franchise was released, but that’s set to change soon. A fourth film in the popular comedy franchise has been teased for years, but it was unclear if the project was ever going to come to fruition. With the official selection of its director, Last Friday is one step closer to its long-delayed release.
Filmmaker Lawrence Lamont has been tapped to direct the fourth installment in the Friday franchise, according to THR. The decision follows the success of One of Them Days, Lamont’s critically acclaimed 2025 hit. More than a year after its release, the film still boasts a strong 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Lamont will bring his proven flair for comedy to Last Friday, in collaboration with at least one returning star.
The fourth Friday film will feature the return of Ice Cube, who co-created the series, as writer, producer, and star. He’ll be joined by fellow producers Bob Teitel and Michael Gruber, along with executive producer Jeff Kwatinetz.
The first Friday film was directed by F. Gary Gray and starred Ice Cube alongside Chris Tucker. The duo played a pair of friends facing escalating problems involving jobs, relationships, family, and everyday life, and their 1995 release became an instant cult classic. It spawned two early 2000s sequels — Next Friday and Friday After Next — and moments from its 91-minute runtime continue to circulate as memes and topical conversation starters more than 30 years after the first film’s debut.
Ice Cube has been at the center from the start, serving as co-creator, writer, and star, and his continued involvement bodes well for the franchise. Likewise, Lamont’s involvement bodes well for the upcoming film. He first gained recognition through his collaborations with Big Sean, directing a number of the rapper’s music videos. He’s also collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Nas, and J. Cole, among others. The success of One of Them Days showcases that Lamont’s abilities extend to the big screen, where Last Friday will eventually land.
Last Friday is still in the early stages of development, so viewers likely won’t set eyes on it for some time. In the meantime, all three of the existing films in the Friday franchise are available to stream on Pluto TV.
