Two scripts were written over the course of 8-9 years.
Ice Cube wrote a draft in late 2011, and turned it in as of late 2012. Rumors went of a December 2013 release has been speculated. He wrote Smokey (
Chris Tucker's role) in it, but Tucker has been reluctant to return. However, the film ended up in development hell due to that and budget not being met for over 3 years until New Line Cinema has a new leadership. Throughout 2017 and 2018, Ice Cube was writing another script alongside
DJ Pooh (co-writer of the original Friday), and making sure it's "great." It was turned in as of Spring 2019, hoping for an April 2020 release, but New Line Cinema, and Warner Bros. Pictures told Ice Cube and DJ Pooh to rewrite scenes until
John Witherspoon passed away on October 29, 2019. At Witherspoon's funeral, Ice Cube pointed out the fact that he turned in two screenplays that never had the greenlight.
