The $12 Million Question: Will Chris Tucker Finally Return As Smokey In The New 'Last Friday' Movie?

The long-awaited return of Smokey is the biggest question mark in Hollywood right now, and as of December 2025, the answer remains tantalizingly close but unconfirmed. After decades of fan pleas and behind-the-scenes hurdles, the fourth and final installment of the iconic Friday franchise, tentatively titled Last Friday, is officially in development. The most critical piece of casting—Chris Tucker as the unforgettable character Smokey—is still pending, creating a massive buzz around whether the original dynamic duo of Tucker and Ice Cube will reunite for one last, hilarious ride.

The journey to get Chris Tucker back on the set has been a saga in itself, revolving around a massive payday he once famously rejected and a commitment to his religious and personal beliefs. While the production deal for Last Friday is closed, the final script is being approved, and co-stars like Mike Epps are publicly urging his return, the ball remains firmly in Chris Tucker’s court. This is the definitive, up-to-the-minute breakdown of where things stand with the return of Smokey.

Chris Tucker: A Brief Biography and Career Profile

Christopher "Chris" Tucker is an American stand-up comedian and actor whose distinctive voice, energetic delivery, and rubber-faced expressions have made him a global comedic icon. His career spans three decades, marked by a selective filmography that includes some of the highest-grossing comedies of all time.

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• Full Name: Christopher Tucker
• Born: August 31, 1971
• Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
• Career Start: Began performing stand-up comedy in local Atlanta clubs, later becoming a frequent performer on HBO's Def Comedy Jam in the early 1990s.
• Breakout Role: Smokey in the 1995 cult classic film Friday, co-starring Ice Cube.
• Major Film Roles: Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour trilogy (co-starring Jackie Chan), Ruby Rhod in The Fifth Element, and a supporting role in Silver Linings Playbook.
• Recent Work: Tucker has returned to his roots with extensive stand-up comedy tours, including "The Legends Tour 2024," and released his first stand-up special, Chris Tucker Live, on Netflix.
• Religious Affiliation: He is a devout Christian, which has heavily influenced his career choices, including his decision not to return to the Friday franchise sequels.

The Real Reason Chris Tucker Rejected $12 Million and the Sequels

The absence of Chris Tucker's character, Smokey, from Next Friday (2000) and Friday After Next (2002) has been the subject of speculation for years. The truth, confirmed by both Tucker and Ice Cube, is rooted in personal and spiritual transformation, not a simple salary dispute.

Religious and Moral Convictions

Following the massive success of the original 1995 film, Chris Tucker became a born-again Christian. This spiritual commitment led him to re-evaluate the roles he was willing to play on screen.

• The Weed Factor: Smokey's character was defined by his constant use of marijuana, a central plot point in the first film. Tucker stated that he no longer wanted to portray a character who smoked weed on camera.
• The Language Factor: He also expressed a desire to avoid the explicit language and cussing that were integral to the character and the franchise's comedic style.
• The Rejected Offer: Ice Cube revealed that they were prepared to pay Chris Tucker a substantial sum—reportedly between $10 and $12 million—to star in Next Friday, an offer Tucker ultimately turned down due to his convictions.

Tucker's decision was a clear pivot in his career, choosing his personal beliefs over a massive financial opportunity. He later focused on the highly successful, but less explicit, action-comedy Rush Hour franchise, solidifying his status as a major Hollywood star without the need for the Friday sequels.

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The Current Status of 'Last Friday' and the Smokey Deal (December 2025)

The news is both encouraging and frustrating for die-hard fans. As of late 2024 and throughout 2025, the *Last Friday* project has made significant, concrete progress, but the one piece of news everyone is waiting for has yet to drop.

The Project is Officially a Go

After years of creative and legal battles over the rights, Ice Cube officially closed a deal with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema for the fourth and final installment of the series. This is the most significant development in the franchise's history in over two decades.

• Title: The film is widely referred to as Last Friday.
• Production Stage: The project is currently in the pre-production phase, with Ice Cube on board to write and star, and the studio moving toward budgeting and script approval.
• Co-Star Confirmation: Mike Epps, who played Day-Day in the second and third films, has confirmed his return to the franchise and has publicly called for Tucker to join the cast.

The Strategy to Bring Smokey Back

Ice Cube and the creative team are fully aware that the film’s success hinges on Chris Tucker’s return. They have reportedly developed a plot specifically designed to accommodate his moral and religious standards.

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The working theory and fan speculation is that the script will address Smokey’s non-smoking stance head-on, possibly by having the character be in rehab, having found religion, or having simply quit marijuana. This narrative device would honor the character's original arc (he was still trying to pay off his debt at the end of the first film) while respecting Chris Tucker's personal boundaries regarding the portrayal of drug use and profanity.

Five Reasons Why Chris Tucker’s Return is Still Possible

Despite the lack of a signed contract, industry insiders and fans remain optimistic. Several key factors suggest that a deal for Chris Tucker to appear in Last Friday is highly likely to happen.

1. The "Final Chapter" Appeal: This is explicitly planned as the last Friday movie. The opportunity to close out a legendary chapter in film history, alongside Ice Cube, is a powerful motivator for any actor, especially one who cherishes his legacy.
2. The Financial Incentive: While Tucker rejected a large sum before, his star power is now arguably higher. The studio knows the film's box office potential doubles with Smokey, meaning a new, massive, and structured offer that meets his terms could be on the table.
3. The Creative Compromise: Since the creative team is willing to write a new, sober, and less profane version of Smokey, the primary religious/moral hurdle has been removed. This compromise is a massive step toward securing his involvement.
4. The Fan Demand: The consistent, decades-long demand for "Smokey's return" is immense. Chris Tucker is currently on a major stand-up tour, "The Legends Tour 2024," and is constantly reminded by fans that he is "Smokey." This public pressure is a significant factor in his decision-making.
5. The Co-Star Urgency: Public endorsements from co-stars like Mike Epps and the late Faizon Love (Big Worm) create a positive, familial environment. This sense of urgency and shared history makes it harder for Tucker to say no to the reunion.

In conclusion, the most up-to-date news in late 2025 is that Last Friday is happening, and every effort is being made to secure Chris Tucker. The challenge is no longer about the money, but about the final creative terms that satisfy his personal and spiritual commitments. If the new script successfully brings Smokey back as a clean, yet still hilarious, character, the reunion will be one of the biggest comedy events of the decade.