Editorial: The “Barbershop” Series Makes A Comeback Under New Ice Cube Deal

MGM is reportedly negotiating a mid-seven-figure deal with Ice Cube to reprise his role in a planned “Barbershop 3”.

According to EURweb.com, the studio is about to start talking to writers and they’re hoping to bring back Cedric the Entertainer and Queen Latifah as well.

The 2002 original cost $12 million and grossed $75 million domestic while the 2004 sequel cost $30 million and grossed $65 million.

Cube has been thriving in franchise work. He reprises his role in Sony’s “22 Jump Street,” which Sony releases June 13 with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum also reprising their roles as bumbling narcs. And after Universal saw “Ride Along” gross $146 million worldwide on a $25 million budget, the studio has greenlit the sequel to start production in late June with Cube and Kevin Hart reprising.

Cube is separately producing “Straight Outta Compton,” the F. Gary Gray-directed adaptation of the formation of NWA, the gangster rap that launched the careers of Cube, Eazy E and Dr. Dre. He’s producing that with Dre, E’s widow Tomika Wright and Matt Alvarez. Universal is casting and production is to begin this summer.

Cube will produce “Barbershop 3” with Alvarez, Bob Teitel and George Tillman Jr.