Director Lawrence Lamont is stepping behind the camera for Last Friday, the first new installment in the comedy franchise in 25 years. Ice Cube, who co-created the original series, will write, produce and star in the upcoming film.
Producers include Bob Teitel and Michael Gruber of CubeVision, with Jeff Kwatinetz serving as executive producer. Production is expected to take place in Southern California, supported by an $11.4 million California film tax credit. The project is slated for 40 shooting days, with 43 cast members and approximately 150 crew members.
Lamont earned widespread recognition for his directorial debut, One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA. The $14 million buddy comedy generated more than $51 million worldwide before topping Netflix’s charts for four consecutive weeks.
His work on the film earned him the African American Film Critics Association’s Breakthrough Director Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture.
With experience directing a comedy centered on friendship and the challenges of navigating Los Angeles, Lamont brings a fitting background to the next chapter of the Friday franchise.
Lamont is represented by WME, ColorCreative and Johnson Shapiro.