*A third installment in the “Ride Along” franchise is beginning to move forward, with Universal Pictures entering early development on the long-anticipated sequel.
The studio is working to bring back the original creative team, including Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, who led the first two films. Director Tim Story and producer Will Packer are also in early talks to return, with Daniel Gold attached to write the script. According to Deadline, earlier attempts to develop a third film stalled due to creative differences, but a new pitch from Gold helped align the core team and restart momentum.
The franchise, which began with its 2014 debut, went on to achieve strong box office performance across both entries, ultimately reaching a combined global total of around $279 million. The films center on security guard Ben Barber and veteran officer James Payton, whose partnership begins in Atlanta and later expands into a high-stakes mission in Miami.
Scroll to continue reading
In a related development within Hart’s expanding television slate, Netflix has announced a new comedy competition series titled “Funny AF with Kevin Hart,” set to debut on April 20. The series follows aspiring comedians from across the United States as they navigate the pressures of stand-up comedy, from early open mic struggles to refining material after difficult performances. The trailer highlights both setbacks and breakthroughs, showing the realities of building a comedy career.
Hart serves as host and mentor, drawing from his own rise in the comedy world. He is joined by guest judges, including Keegan-Michael Key, Tom Segura, Kumail Nanjiani, Chelsea Handler, and Nikki Glaser, who appear across the early episodes.
The series will roll out in stages, beginning with four episodes on April 20, followed by additional episodes on April 27. It will conclude with a live semi-final on May 4 and a finale on May 5, where viewers will vote in real time to determine the winner. Contestants were selected from auditions held in cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, bringing together a diverse group of emerging comedians competing for a breakthrough in the industry.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Chicago Man Allegedly Threatened to Behead Trump’s Son, Barron
Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
