The next Friday movie has a director. Lawrence Lamont, who directed One of Them Days, is set to helm Last Friday, the franchise’s first new live-action film since Friday After Next arrived in 2002. The director news gives fans a fresh development on a sequel that has been discussed for years.

Ice Cube, who co-created the franchise, wrote the script and is set to star and produce. Bob Teitel and Michael Gruber are also producing, with Jeff Kwatinetz executive producing, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The director announcement did not name additional cast members, so speculation about which familiar characters might return remains unconfirmed. kzk101.com

Lamont’s recent feature work makes his appointment notable. One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA, follows two friends trying to get through a chaotic day in Los Angeles. The film brought Lamont’s feature directing to a wider audience, and its buddy-comedy structure has some natural overlap with the friendship and neighborhood humor that have long defined Friday.

The original Friday debuted in 1995, with Ice Cube as Craig Jones and Chris Tucker as Smokey. The film’s success led to Next Friday in 2000 and Friday After Next in 2002. Ice Cube starred in all three films and wrote the original with DJ Pooh before writing the two sequels himself.

There is also a California connection to the new production. Earlier this month, the California Film Commission announced that Last Friday had received a production tax credit through the state’s film and television incentive program. The commission said the production is planned for Southern California, keeping the shoot close to the region associated with the franchise. film.ca.gov

For now, the clearest confirmed details are the director, Ice Cube’s writing and producing roles, and the planned Southern California production. No official cast list or full plot description has been announced alongside Lamont’s appointment. That leaves fans with plenty to speculate about: who should return, and what should the next chapter preserve from the original films?

Sources: The Hollywood Reporter · California Film Commission