Auntie Suga is back. Kym Whitley has confirmed she will be reprising her iconic role in Last Friday, the long-awaited fourth installment in Ice Cube’s beloved Friday franchise.
Whitley first broke the news to TMZ earlier this month. “Next Friday’s coming back. It’s called The Last Friday. The script is done. I know I’m in it because Cube told me to start doing sit-ups,” she said.
She most recently reconfirmed her involvement while promoting The Varnell Hill Show, telling culture creators: “I am part of that, absolutely. How you gonna have a Friday without Sugar? Sugar is there. Ice Cube has not said when, but I did talk to Ice Cube and he said the script is in. I said do I need to start doing sit-ups and he said yes you do.”
Whitley first played Auntie Suga in Next Friday, the 2000 comedy sequel that reunited Ice Cube’s Craig with his cousin Day-Day, played by Mike Epps, as the two navigated life in the suburbs after Craig won the lottery. The film was a box office hit and cemented the franchise’s cultural staying power. Whitley did not return for the third film, Friday After Next, due to a scheduling conflict with Deliver Us from Eva. When only two shooting days overlapped between the two projects, Ice Cube gave her an ultimatum to choose one or the other. Whitley honored her existing contract, and Ice Cube replaced the character with Cookie, played by Sommore. The decision strained their relationship for years.
Her return comes as Ice Cube and Mike Epps have officially confirmed Last Friday is happening, with a signed deal, an active writers room and production expected later this year. The writing team includes Ice Cube, Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder and original Friday co-writer DJ Pooh. Chris Tucker, who walked away from the franchise after the original 1995 film, is also in talks to return as Smokey. “We’ve been talking to him and he wants to come back,” Epps said. Cube added: “He’s one of the best. I think he’s going to do it.”
Plot details are being kept close to the chest, but Craig and Day-Day are back, with the story centering on the gentrification of their neighborhood. Ice Cube has been pushing for a release by April 2027.
The original Friday, released in 1995 and directed by F. Gary Gray, became a cultural touchstone and launched or elevated the careers of Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, Katt Williams, Terry Crews and many others. The franchise has generated over $121 million at the box office across three films.