Summary
Ride Along 3 remains in progress, as confirmed by Ice Cube, even though there has been no new installment in the franchise for more than seven years.In spite of the negative reviews, the initial two Ride Along films achieved significant financial success primarily due to the outstanding comedic chemistry displayed between Ice Cube and Kevin Hart.
The main obstacle facing Ride Along 3 is the scheduling conflicts of Hart and Cube, both of whom are occupied with other projects, resulting in uncertainty regarding the movie's production. Despite the absence of a Ride Along film for a span of over seven years, Ice Cube, the star and producer, affirms that Ride Along 3 is still in progress. Despite receiving unfavorable reviews from critics, the first two movies in the series, released in 2014 and 2016, garnered a combined global box office revenue of nearly $280 million. This success can be attributed to the comedic chemistry exhibited by Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, enabling the films to establish themselves within the buddy cop genre.
While speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Ice Cube discussed his involvement in the upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and the future possibilities for sequels in the Friday and Ride Along series. The rapper-turned-actor mentioned that the team is currently exploring various ideas and concepts for Ride Along 3. Cube expressed his confidence that they will come up with something suitable for the sequel, but noted that Kevin Hart's increasing popularity has made it difficult to have discussions about the project. Here's the full quote:
"We've had some discussions about Ride Along 3, but we haven't finalized the right concept and direction to take the franchise. We don't want to make a movie just for the sake of it; we want it to be a standalone film that truly works. So, we're working on it. Kevin Hart, on the other hand, is also elusive. If you happen to have his contact, tell him to give me a call as well. He doesn't call me anymore. What's up, Kevin?"
Everything We Know About Ride Along 3
Despite Tim Story discussing his involvement in developing the script for Ride Along 3, there has been no progress on the film. The proposed sequel would have Story returning as director, with Hart and Ice Cube reprising their roles as the unique partners. While there have been no casting rumors, it is likely that Bruce McGill and Tika Sumpter would also make a comeback as Lieutenant Brooks and Angela Payton-Barber, respectively.
Work on the third installment began after the release of Ride Along 2 in 2016, but there has been limited news about the project since then. In 2016, Story, who previously collaborated with Ice Cube on the beloved comedy Barbershop, mentioned that the creative team had compelling story ideas but were still eagerly waiting for a completed script. Story expressed his desire to place the duo in a fish-out-of-water scenario, potentially even taking them to another country, similar to one of the franchise's major influences, Rush Hour.
Recently, it was disclosed that the primary challenge for the production of Ride Along 3 is the coordination of the busy schedules of Hart and Cube. Hart is currently involved in the post-production of two films, Lift and Borderlands, and has already finished another movie, Back On The Strip. On the other hand, Ice Cube has recently entered into a multi-project agreement with Luminosity Entertainment and is presently occupied with the creation of a documentary about his basketball league, BIG3. Given their numerous commitments, it may take a while before Hart and Cube find the opportunity to reunite for another installment of Ride Along.