Universal Advances Ride Along 3 with Ice Cube, Hart

Universal Pictures is advancing early development on a third installment of the Ride Along comedy franchise, with stars Ice Cube and Kevin Hart in discussions to reprise their roles alongside director Tim Story and producer Will Packer.

The project gained traction after screenwriter Daniel Gold, known for his work on the Netflix series Workin' Moms, pitched a concept that aligned the key creative team. Sources indicate that previous attempts to produce a sequel faltered due to disagreements over ideas, but Gold's screenplay has unified the group. Ice Cube, Hart, and Story are also exploring producing roles through their respective companies: Cube Vision, Hartbeat Productions, and The Story Company.

The original Ride Along, released in 2014, centered on security guard Ben Barber, played by Hart, who joins his girlfriend's brother, Atlanta police officer James Payton portrayed by Ice Cube, on a 24-hour patrol to prove his worth. The duo becomes entangled in a pursuit of an arms dealer. Directed by Story and produced by Packer, the film opened with $48.6 million over the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and grossed $134.9 million domestically and $154 million worldwide.