The long-awaited Friday 4 has received a major production update that moves it closer to filming. The project has been selected for California’s latest round of film and television production incentives.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, New Line Cinema’s Friday sequel received $11.4 million in tax credits. Tentatively titled Last Friday, the project was one of 35 films selected for the program, which awarded $226.1 million in total credits.
The latest incentive gives Last Friday a boost to film in Southern California with a local cast and crew. The previous three Friday movies were also filmed at multiple locations across the Los Angeles area and Southern California.
Why California’s incentive program was key to bringing Friday 4 back to Los Angeles
The program will help Friday 4 remain in Los Angeles while providing support for local employment. According to rapper and producer Ice Cube, more than 180 local cast and crew members are expected to work on the project.
“I’m thrilled to produce Last Friday right here in Southern California, where our cast and crew lives,” Ice Cube said. The 57-year-old also added that the story has been part of South Los Angeles since the first film, released in 1995. “So producing the film here with more than 180 local cast and crew underscores the value of the California production incentive program,” he said.
Without these subsidies, production costs likely would have forced filmmakers to seek cheaper filming locations elsewhere. While this initiative does not provide a production start date for the sequel, it gives the project a clearer path toward production.
Beyond this, Nia Long, who appeared in the original film, hinted that the film is currently in development. In an interview with Variety, she stated that Ice Cube would send a fresh script to read in connection with Friday 4.
By securing this key financial support, the production moves much closer to kicking off filming soon.
