Buzz
Inspired by his work on Boyz n the Hood under director John Singleton, Ice Cube ventured into screenwriting. Collaborating with DJ Pooh, he penned Friday, a 1995 comedy that showcased the comedic brilliance of Chris Tucker and Bernie Mac. The film, which follows Craig and Smokey as they navigate a day in South Central Los Angeles while scrambling to gather $200 for a drug dealer, marks its 20th anniversary on April 26.
1. THE ENTIRE FILM WAS COMPLETED IN JUST 20 DAYS.
Filmed on a modest $ million budget, Friday was shot on 126th Street between Normandie and Halldale Avenues in Los Angeles. This location held personal significance for director F. Gary Gray, as it was the street where he spent his childhood. His former home can be seen in the background during the scene where Deebo punches Red (DJ Pooh) for attempting to reclaim his bike.
2. THE DIRECTOR COMPARES THE FILM TO LEAVE IT TO BEAVER.
Reflecting on why Friday remains a favorite among audiences, Gray shared with HollywoodChicago.com that "I believe it’s because people from all walks of life can see themselves in those characters. Whether it’s the neighborhood bully, the girl next door you admired, or the mischievous friend, everyone finds something relatable. It’s akin to Leave it to Beaver in its universal appeal to familiar experiences."
3. GRAY DIRECTED THE ICONIC TLC MUSIC VIDEO "WATERFALLS."
Gray launched his career by directing music videos, including TLC’s “Waterfalls,” which earned the Best Video of the Year award at the 1995 VMAs. He also helmed acclaimed videos for Coolio’s “Fantastic Voyage” and Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day,” paving the way for their collaboration on Friday. Following the film’s success, which grossed over six times its budget, Gray directed notable films like Set It Off, The Negotiator, A Man Apart, The Italian Job, Be Cool, and Law Abiding Citizen. He also directed Outkast’s “Ms. Jackson” music video.
4. GRAY MAKES A BRIEF CAMEO APPEARANCE IN THE FILM.
He appears as the janitor mopping the floor in the store.
5. MICHAEL CLARKE DUNCAN’S FIRST FILM ROLE WAS IN FRIDAY.
Prior to his debut on the big screen, where he played craps with Smokey in the iconic scene where Deebo knocks out Red, Duncan worked in commercials and provided security for celebrities like Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, and Notorious B.I.G.
6. THE CHARACTER DEEBO WAS INSPIRED BY A REAL-LIFE CRIP.
Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr., a wrestler-turned-actor, based his portrayal of the intimidating bike thief on Crips leader Eugene “Big U” Henley. After spending 13 years in prison, Henley now works as a music event promoter and heads a community organization focused on youth empowerment.
7. CHRIS ROCK AND TOMMY DAVIDSON WERE INITIAL CONTENDERS FOR THE ROLE OF SMOKEY.
However, Gray insisted on casting the relatively unknown Chris Tucker, who won over the director with his exceptional improvisational skills.
8. TUCKER’S COMEDY WAS SO HILARIOUS THAT CREW MEMBERS HAD TO LEAVE THE SET.
Camera operators and other crew members had to step away or avoid watching because their uncontrollable laughter kept ruining takes.
9. CHRIS TUCKER WAS NOT ACTUALLY HIGH DURING FILMING.
"You can’t film a movie while high," Tucker explained to The AV Club. "No, I didn’t stay in character, but it was an incredible experience. We had a blast." In 2012, he shared with The Guardian that fans still frequently offer him marijuana. "They want to say they smoked with Smokey," Tucker joked. "Thankfully, I don’t smoke—otherwise, I’d be high nonstop."
10. THE ICONIC PHRASE "BYE FELICIA" ORIGINATED FROM THIS MOVIE.
First uttered by an exasperated Craig to the clingy Felicia, “Bye Felicia” has become the ultimate way to dismiss someone who’s being a nuisance. Regina King, who portrayed Ice Cube’s sister Dana, only discovered last fall that the phrase originated from this two-decade-old film.
11. THE ACTRESS BEHIND "FELICIA" IS MOSTLY OKAY WITH HER CHARACTER'S ENDURING FAME.
Angela Means Kaaya, who played Felicia, was taken aback by the lasting popularity of "Bye Felicia." In 2013, she received a residual check for a mere $1.17. In 2014, she told Ebony, "Neither Cube nor I expected this to become a staple of American pop culture 20 years later. I’m fine with the ‘Bye Felicia’ phenomenon, but I’ve told my son, ‘Don’t let that be my epitaph.’”
12. FELICIA'S SON HAS EXCELLED AS A COLLEGE FOOTBALL STAR.
Brad, Kaaya’s son, served as the University of Miami Hurricanes’ starting quarterback last season and earned the ACC Rookie of the Year title for his outstanding performance.
13. THE SOUNDTRACK TOPPED THE BILLBOARD CHARTS.
Featuring Dr. Dre’s hit single “Keep Their Heads Ringin',” which went gold, the soundtrack held the #1 spot for two weeks before being dethroned by Hootie and the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View. Ice Cube was thrilled to learn that Rick James’ “Mary Jane” had never been featured in a film before. “It’s rare to get both the Isley Brothers and a brand-new Dr. Dre track," Cube shared with BuzzFeed. "It was truly a labor of love.”
14. CRAIG JONES AND DOUGHBOY WEAR NEARLY IDENTICAL OUTFITS.
In a deliberate homage to his role as Darrin “Doughboy” Baker in Boyz n the Hood, Ice Cube’s character Craig Jones wakes up in the opening scene of Friday wearing a black shirt, shorts, high white socks, and sneakers—an ensemble strikingly similar to Doughboy’s attire in the final scene of Boyz n the Hood.
15. ICE CUBE STILL FINDS THE MOVIE HILARIOUS.
While on a flight, Ice Cube’s 21 Jump Street co-stars Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum noticed him laughing out loud while watching Friday. He claimed he was reviewing it for inspiration for a potential fourth movie but confessed to Vulture, "The sh*t was making me laugh. It was funny."
16. CHRIS TUCKER CHOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEQUELS.
Explaining his decision to skip the two follow-up films to Friday, Tucker told The New York Times: “People adore it, so why tamper with something that’s already beloved? Let it stand as it is.”
17. TUCKER’S CHARACTER IS INCLUDED IN THE UPCOMING FRIDAY MOVIE.
Following Mike Epps stepping into the void left by Chris Tucker as Ray Ray in Next Friday and Friday After Next, Ice Cube revealed that he included Tucker’s character Smokey in the script for Last Friday. However, the project remains trapped in “development hell.”
