*Ice Cube is speaking out about Katt Williams’ recent remarks about Rickey Smiley and his work on the “Friday” movie franchise.
We reported earlier that during the comedian’s appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast, Williams accused Smiley of lying when he sat down with Sharpe on the podcast and said he auditioned to play the iconic pimp character Money Mike in “Friday After Next.” The role ultimately went to Williams, who claims he was never considered for any other role in the film.
“This man told you he had Katt Williams’ role. He was going to be Money Mike, and Katt Williams was going to be the Santa Claus,” Williams told Sharpe. “We auditioned in Los Angeles. I was audition No. 201. Two hundred Black comedians auditioned for the role of Money Mike with me. You’re saying all 201 of us was auditioning, and you had already had the role and had already shot the role in four days?”
Smiley insists he auditioned for the Money Mike role but ended up playing Santa Claus in the film.
“I guess the producers, Cube, and everybody saw something different,” he said.
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“Friday” writer/producer Ice Cube has clarified the issue, Ice Cream Convos reports.
“When we bring in a new comedian, we do have them try out for different roles,” Ice Cube stated in a video shared online. “So, Rickey did give Money Mike a shot.”
Cube added, “But, when we saw him, we kinda saw how he moved and how he was auditioning, we decided he’d be a better Santa Claus. Which was, to me, the perfect casting. When we saw Katt…when I saw him I just knew he was perfect for Money Mike.”
Watch Ice Cube’s complete statement below.
My comments on the @KattWilliams @ShannonSharpe interview. pic.twitter.com/HFsJGxusot
— Ice Cube (@icecube) January 5, 2024
READ MORE: Mike Epps Claims Ice Cube Wants to Turn ‘Friday’ Into Touring Stage Play
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