Ice Cube to Star in New ‘Friday’ Film

Ice Cube will write and star in a new installment of the Friday franchise.

In a groundbreaking move after two decades, the rapper-actor, aged 54, has struck a deal with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema to create “Last Friday”, set to be the fourth installment in the comedy series.

Ice Cube has long expressed interest in revisiting the Friday series.

During a chat on Flavor Flav’s SiriusXM program “Flavor of the Week” in June 2024, Ice Cube mentioned that there was some momentum at Warner Bros. regarding the movie, particularly under their new management, with co-chair Michael De Luca being part of the team.

He stated: “They now have fresh management: My associate Mike De Luca, who was with New Line when I first began, during my initial work on films like Friday, Players Club, and All About the Benjamins.

“Mike De Luca was there.”

Ice Cube played a significant role in the 1995 release of “Friday,” also contributing to its script along with DJ Pooh. Later, he took charge of penning the subsequent films, namely “Next Friday” (released in 2000) and “Friday After Next” (2002).

During the time they were made, all three movies were overseen for production by New Line Cinema, a company that was headed by Gary De Luca.

As a devoted cinephile, I must confess that the “Friday” movie franchise, with its humorous portrayal of Craig, brilliantly embodied by Ice Cube, has ascended to the realm of cult status.

Additionally featuring Chris Tucker, the first installment in the series turned out to be an unexpected success, earning over $27 million against an estimated production cost of just $3.5 million.

In the sequels, although Tucker didn’t reappear, the franchise introduced fresh sidekicks, one of them being Mike Epps portraying Day Day.

Beyond Friday, Ice Cube has had a prolific film career.

In 1998, he brought both pen and directorial vision to the film “The Players Club,” while also gracing the screen in action movies like “xXx: State of the Union” (2005) and comedies such as “Are We There Yet?” which debuted during the same year.

Apart from his roles, he’s been involved as a producer on multiple ventures, such as the “Ride Along” franchise starring comedian Kevin Hart.

Popular Movie Comedies That Could Never Get Made Today

Blazing Saddles (1974)

In truth, the movie “Blazing Saddles” supports its minority characters wholeheartedly, and employs an abundance of profanity and offensive language to satirize and humiliate those who employ them. However, due to the significant amount of such language in the film, contemporary audiences may find it shocking or even distressing. Upon its release on HBO Max a few years ago, the streaming platform issued a warning at the start, informing viewers about “racist language and attitudes” that are “prevalent throughout the movie.” Although “Blazing Saddles” continues to be a significant work in its genre and time period, it’s hard to imagine anyone attempting to create a modern remake of it in the 2020s.

Manhattan (1979)

Putting aside the contentious issues surrounding Woody Allen, let me express my thoughts about his movie “Manhattan,” which was released in 1979 and garnered much acclaim. Despite its numerous Academy Award nominations and inclusion in the National Film Registry, I can’t overlook the fact that this film revolves around a middle-aged man (played by Allen himself at 44) having a relationship with a 17-year-old girl (Mariel Hemingway, who was only 16 during filming). Even in an ideal world where Allen had led a controversy-free life, the very premise of “Manhattan” would make it a challenging watch for modern audiences today.

National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978)

The classic comedy film “National Lampoon’s Animal House” served as a blueprint for numerous slobs versus snobs comedies during the 1980s and ’90s. It is often hailed as one of the best comedies from its time. However, scenes that might be considered inappropriate by today’s standards are found within it, despite the film’s significant influence. For instance, there’s a scene where a woman becomes unconscious while kissing Pinto (played by Tom Hulce), and an angel and devil appear on his shoulders to persuade him either for or against further intimacy.

Another controversial sequence, which Universal Pictures attempted to cut from the original film, involves the Delta House residents deceiving a group of women from another college into going out with them, only to panic when they enter a bar where they are the sole white patrons. Essentially, if “Animal House” were remade today, the movie might not run much longer than 75 minutes due to its content.

Zapped! (1982)

In the film “Zapped!”, a teenager named Barney, who gains telekinetic powers after a science experiment backfires, is portrayed as the protagonist. However, rather than using his newfound abilities for good, he spends most of the movie humiliating the women in his life, including those he doesn’t like or even those who are kind to him. This includes forcibly removing their clothes in public. While it’s common for movies to explore sexual themes, “Zapped!” takes things a step further by presenting abusive behavior as comedic.

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

This long-running comedy, despite its theme of standing up for mistreated outcasts, surprisingly includes a harsh and insensitive tone. It’s littered with offensive jokes targeting the LGBTQ+ community and racial minorities, as well as an unusual subplot where a fraternity of nerds seek revenge on a sorority by invading their home and spying on them using hidden cameras. The climax involves the leader of the nerds deceiving a popular girl by pretending to be her boyfriend, then engaging in sexual acts with her under false pretenses. Notably, she develops feelings for him despite his deception. A remake was attempted in the mid-2000s, but it didn’t make it past pre-production, likely because the only way this film could be relevant today is as a reboot that critiques the idea that nerds should be granted love, fame, and success merely for having faced bullying from popular peers.

Sixteen Candles (1984)

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I can’t help but associate John Hughes with the creation of hilarious yet heartfelt teenage dramas such as “The Breakfast Club,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” and “Sixteen Candles.” However, it’s important to acknowledge that not all characters in every film were treated with the same sensitivity. Case in point: the character of Long Duk Dong from “Sixteen Candles,” a foreign exchange student who, upon reflection, seems to embody almost every Asian stereotype imaginable. The use of a gong sound effect whenever he appeared on screen only served to reinforce these stereotypes.

In retrospect, it’s striking how far we’ve come since then. Molly Ringwald, the star of “Sixteen Candles,” herself acknowledged in a piece for the New Yorker that Long Duk Dong was a “grotesque stereotype.” She also criticized Hughes’ portrayal of women and casual homophobia, which were unfortunately prevalent in his work. These aspects make his films significant artifacts of their time, but not necessarily reflective of our contemporary values.

Short Circuit (1986)

You might recall “Short Circuit” as a delightful comedy featuring a robot that unexpectedly develops consciousness and challenges its military programming. However, if you haven’t watched it for some time, you may not remember that the significant side character, the roboticist Ben Jabituya, who is Indian, was portrayed by Fisher Stevens in brownface. Interestingly, this character became so well-liked that he was promoted to the (non-robot) lead role in the sequel, “Short Circuit 2”. Despite the series’ success in the 1980s, Stevens has since expressed regret over the role, stating it remains a source of discomfort for him and he would not reprise that part again.

Soul Man (1986)

Back in 1986, it’s hard to believe that a film entirely based on blackface was produced. The movie “Soul Man” follows the story of a self-indulgent college student named Mark (played by C. Thomas Howell). Despite getting accepted into Harvard Law School, his wealthy father refuses to pay the tuition fees. In desperation, Mark seeks out a scholarship for African American students and resorts to an excessive use of tanning pills and wearing a wig in an attempt to pass as black. Remarkably, this questionable disguise works, at least temporarily. Although the film seems to have good intentions – it satirizes Mark’s naivety, and becoming Black is not the ticket to Harvard he assumes it will be – much of the humor falls flat due to its tone-deafness. Frankly, it’s more likely that we’ll see a remake of “Gigli” in the 2020s than “Soul Man.

Big (1988)

In this movie, although viewers’ recollections may vary, let me clarify some points: Tom Hanks portrays an older version of Josh Baskin, initially a 12-year-old boy, who makes a wish to be big at a carnival fortune teller game. After his transformation, Hanks’ character runs away from home to New York City and finds employment at a toy company. The plot becomes quite unusual when it involves a kid living in luxury in Soho for months without much concern for his family or mother.

By the conclusion of the film, Josh has also developed a romantic relationship with one of his colleagues, played by Elizabeth Perkins. Although no explicit scenes are shown (which is fortunate), it’s heavily suggested that Josh, still a 12-year-old in an adult’s body, has become involved with Perkins’ character, Susan. This movie was not only a significant box office success, but it also catapulted Tom Hanks to the status of America’s favorite heartthrob. The 1980s were indeed an eccentric era.

Dream a Little Dream (1989)

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that while Corey Feldman’s impersonation of Michael Jackson was quite entertaining, the movie “Dream a Little Dream” takes an unexpected and rather uncomfortable turn. The story revolves around a character named Lainie (played by Meredith Salenger), who finds herself trapped in a tumultuous relationship with an abusive partner. A classmate of hers (again, Corey Feldman, but this time possessing the spirit of an elderly man portrayed by Jason Robards) develops feelings for her and tries to help her escape this toxic relationship.

The plot unfolds in a fashion typical of ’80s teen comedies, until Lainie’s parents take an alarming stance—they side with the abusive boyfriend over their own daughter, threatening to move the entire family away due to her refusal to comply with his demands after he had physically harmed her. The story takes a disturbing turn when Lainie’s mother drugs her—all in the name of keeping her out of trouble. This appalling subplot is so distressing that it’s no surprise the film received a sequel.

Heathers (1989)

In 1989, the theme of high school students harming or even killing each other wasn’t as sensitive an issue as it is today. The movie “Heathers,” which follows a girl (Winona Ryder) and her boyfriend (Christian Slater) as they plot to murder their school rivals in ways that appear to be suicides, was seen as a dark satire on teenage cliques back then. Nowadays, such violent acts among children are no longer just absurd comedy; they’re grim realities of life.

Interestingly, “Heathers” still maintains its popularity, leading filmmakers to attempt various modern interpretations of the story. Ironically, when Paramount Network attempted a television reboot of “Heathers” a few years ago, they found themselves postponing the premiere multiple times due to real-life school shootings. Eventually, the show did air, but it was heavily edited, with the final episode being a combination of the last two episodes.

This serves as a stark reminder that updating “Heathers” for today’s audience might prove challenging, if not impossible.

Blank Check (1994)

The plot of the movie “Blank Check” initially appears to be a standard children’s film about a mischievous boy named Brian Bonsall who finds and cashes a blank check, turning him into a millionaire overnight. However, what sets this movie apart is the romantic subplot between the 11-year-old boy and a bank teller, played by Karen Duffy, who is 31 years old. This unusual relationship culminates in a kiss towards the end of the film. In recent times, both the film and this mature romance, particularly the controversial kiss, have been subjects of online debate. Notably, when certain Disney or Fox films are deemed inappropriate for streaming on Disney+, people often bring up “Blank Check” and its unconventional romance as examples that contradict this classification, with the film still available for streaming on the platform as of now.

Bulworth (1998)

Without a doubt, the film “Bulworth” aims its critique at cynical politicians who prioritize donors over their constituents, similar to how “Network” focused on the media. Set in the ’90s, it portrays Congress as its main subject instead of television networks. However, the method used to convey this message – a weary U.S. Senator, played by Warren Beatty who also co-wrote and directed the film, resorting to using the n-word and lengthy “raps” – might not garner the same level of acceptance today as it did in 1998. Remarkably, this movie, which includes Beatty rapping while dressed in such attire, managed to secure a nomination for an Academy Award.

Shallow Hal (2001)

The Farrelly brothers built their professional journey on pushing the boundaries of comedy in cinema, which means that many of their films might not resonate with current sensibilities and moral standards. Among these, none more so than “Shallow Hal,” a romantic comedy, where Jack Black portrays a character who, after being hypnotized, can only perceive a person’s inner beauty.

In the story, he falls for Rosemary, who resembles glamorous actress Gwyneth Paltrow in appearance. The humor lies in the fact that Hal is perceiving Rosemary’s “inner” beauty, unaware that she actually weighs 300 pounds, a truth that remains hidden to him through numerous insensitive visual gags, such as this one where she lifts his side of a canoe high into the air.

The movie isn’t solely malicious, but even in 2001, the recurring jokes about Rosemary’s weight tested the boundaries of “good intentions.” If produced today, you would need to make significant changes, such as finding a new leading lady; Gwyneth Paltrow later described “Shallow Hal” as a “disaster” and her “least favorite performance” throughout her career.

Sorority Boys (2002)

The film “Sorority Boys,” released in the late ’90s and early 2000s, was one of several raunchy teen comedies that followed in the footsteps of “American Pie.” This movie stands out for its frequent objectification of women and disrespectful portrayal. The sorority in the film is called DOG (Daughters of a Greek letter), where members are referred to as “DOGs.” Despite being portrayed as intelligent girls, none seem to realize that their new members are actually three men disguised as women.

One subplot involves an undercover frat boy forming a friendship with the president of DOG, frequently showering with her, and even engaging in a lesbian relationship without revealing his true identity. This is presented not as creepy or strange, but rather as more material for crude jokes. It’s worth noting that the plot revolves around a tape one of the characters made of himself having sex with various women without their knowledge or consent. The film is supposed to be a comedy, though this aspect might be debatable.

Garden State (2004)

In Nathan Rabin’s article on Cameron Crowe’s film “Elizabethtown,” he noted that Natalie Portman’s character Sam from “Garden State” was another classic example of the “manic pixie dream girl.” According to Rabin, these characters are created by sensitive writers and directors to inspire brooding young men to appreciate life. While “Elizabethtown” was a commercial failure, “Garden State” gained popularity due to its unique visual style and indie pop soundtrack. However, there were hints that the Sam character might have been excessively perfect and underdeveloped. In his 2004 review, Roger Ebert described her as a movie stereotype: a girl who is always available, highly attractive, and seems to like you, but we learn very little about her beyond her good looks and positive qualities.

The “manic pixie dream girl” concept became problematic due to its overuse, and even Rabin expressed regret for coining the term. Nevertheless, it continues to be a significant and divisive topic in popular culture. If someone attempted to remake “Garden State” in 2020, they would likely face criticism if they didn’t revise the Sam character to make her more independent and well-rounded.

The Dukes of Hazzard (2005)

Warner Bros. started phasing out the Confederate flag from certain toys and representations of the iconic General Lee car from “The Dukes of Hazzard” in 2013. However, eight years prior to that, they enthusiastically marketed a $50-million movie adaptation of “The Dukes of Hazzard,” which showcased the classic General Lee.

The car wasn’t hidden away, either; you can still find images of the General Lee at numerous promotional events and premieres for the film “Dukes,” starring Johnny Knoxville and Seann William Scott as Luke and Bo Duke. The other main marketing tool used to generate buzz for the movie was co-star Jessica Simpson in her iconic Daisy Dukes outfit, a detail that might cause a few raised eyebrows nowadays.

I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007)

In more straightforward language:

The movie “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” classified as a gay marriage comedy, concludes with a speech advocating for equality and respect for gay people, emphasizing they are no different from others. However, the preceding 110 minutes are filled with repeated homophobic slurs and derogatory comments. The plot revolves around a firefighter (Kevin James) who convinces his reluctant, macho colleague (Adam Sandler) to pretend to be his domestic partner for insurance benefits.

The movie also includes offensive portrayals of Asian people by Rob Schneider in numerous scenes, which are so racially insensitive you’d think someone challenged him to surpass Mickey Rooney’s performance in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

Shockingly, the studio found this racist depiction appealing and heavily featured Schneider in the film’s trailer, even making him the opening voice in the advertisement. This movie was released as recently as 2007.

Norbit (2007)

Audiences often find delight when Eddie Murphy portrays numerous characters within one movie by utilizing intricate prosthetic makeup. Despite receiving unfavorable reviews from critics, the 2007 film Norbit raked in approximately $160 million worldwide against a budget of only $60 million.

However, this doesn’t mean it remains enjoyable to watch today. In this instance, Murphy’s talent for physical metamorphosis (alongside Rick Baker’s exceptional makeup effects) are utilized to tell a story that is bitter and anger-inducing. The film centers around a timid man (also played by Murphy) who marries an overbearing woman, treating his husband more like an abused servant than a partner.

Murphy’s portrayal of the vengeful, violent Rasputia is technically skillful – and a harsh caricature of a shrew, filled with jokes about her weight. To add insult to injury, Murphy also plays Mr. Wong, a stern Chinese man who runs an orphanage and speaks in a thick stereotypical accent. In the end, the movie is nothing short of disheartening.

Tropic Thunder (2008)

It’s evident that the character portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. in the film “Tropic Thunder,” who dons blackface and employs stereotypical speech to depict a soldier named Lincoln Osiris during a Vietnam War movie, was intended as a satire of self-important Hollywood stars, not African Americans. However, I’m unsure if this context would be enough today. Despite the humor being directed at Downey’s character and the film industry’s pattern of casting white actors in minority roles (as demonstrated several times on this list), the final outcome is still a man in blackface – a controversial choice that would spark numerous discussions today.

This controversy is further heightened by the character of Ben Stiller’s director, who earlier played a mentally challenged individual in a production called “Simple Jack.” This leads to an extended conversation between Downey and Stiller’s characters about how playing “full [r-word]” can ruin one’s chances for an Oscar. Ironically, Downey actually received an Oscar nomination for his role in “Tropic Thunder,” which would be hard to imagine a few years later.

2025-04-04 16:55