Lawrence Lamont to Direct Ice Cube’s Last Friday

Lawrence Lamont has been tapped to direct Last Friday, the fourth film in the comedy franchise, as New Line Cinema advances a sequel starring, written and produced by Ice Cube. The appointment was reported October 27; the film’s full cast and plot have not been announced. Cube will return as Craig Jones, the character he has played since the original Friday debuted in 1995. He will also produce with Bob Teitel and Michael Gruber. Jeff Kwatinetz is executive producing, according to reports on the project. The California Film Commission has listed about $11.4 million in tax credits for the production. Plans call for 40 filming days in California, with projected production positions for 43 cast members and 150 crew. Those figures are estimates of jobs, not confirmation of who will appear onscreen. The plans do not establish that filming has begun. Last Friday would be the franchise’s first live-action movie since Friday After Next, released in 2002. The original film introduced Craig and Chris Tucker’s Smokey, while Mike Epps joined the series as DayDay in Next Friday. Tucker has not been officially confirmed for the new film. One report said he was in talks, but a finalized cast...