The 'Friday' universe is set to expand once more, with director Lawrence Lamont taking the reins for 'Last Friday.' This project is poised to revive the iconic buddy comedy series, which first captivated audiences in 1995.

Ice Cube, the driving force behind the franchise, is deeply involved in the new film. He is co-writing the script, producing, and will also star in 'Last Friday,' reprising his role as Craig Jones. Bob Teitel and CubeVision’s Michael Gruber are also on board as producers, with Jeff Kwatinetz serving as executive producer.

Lamont's appointment comes after a breakout year. His debut feature, 'One of Them Days,' garnered widespread acclaim and financial success. The buddy comedy, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, grossed over $51 million worldwide on a $14 million budget and spent four consecutive weeks as the number one film on Netflix. Lamont’s work on the film earned him the AAFCA Breakthrough Director Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination, solidifying his reputation as a director with a unique voice and a knack for engaging storytelling. His background also includes a successful career directing music videos for major artists like Big Sean, J. Cole, Snoop Dogg, and Nas, where he earned an MTV Video Music Award.

'Last Friday' is a significant undertaking, marking the first new entry in the 'Friday' series in 25 years. The original 'Friday,' directed by F. Gary Gray and co-written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, became a cult classic, introducing the memorable duo of Craig Jones (Ice Cube) and Smokey (Chris Tucker). It spawned two successful sequels, 'Next Friday' (2000) and 'Friday After Next' (2002), both written by and starring Ice Cube. The franchise even saw a brief animated series on MTV2.

The production for 'Last Friday' is planned for Southern California, benefiting from the California production incentive program. New Line, the studio behind the film, received $11.4 million in incentives to film in the state. The project anticipates a 40-day filming schedule, employing an estimated 43 cast members and a crew of 150, promising a substantial return to the streets of Los Angeles that defined the original films.