Ice Cube and Nia Long Return for New ‘Are They Gone Yet?’ Movie Fans Anticipate

Ice Cube and Nia Long are set to revive one of their beloved comedy franchises with a new film in the ‘Are We There Yet?’ series. The upcoming third installment, titled ‘Are They Gone Yet?’, is currently in early development and will continue the journey of Nick and Suzanne years after fans first met them.

As reported by Deadline, the project is being developed following Skydance Sports’ acquisition. Ice Cube and Nia Long will reprise their roles as Nick and Suzanne, the central couple in this family comedy saga.

The original ‘Are We There Yet?’ debuted in theaters in 2005, introducing audiences to Nick, played by Ice Cube, who attempts to win over Suzanne, a divorced mother portrayed by Long. Nick believes that taking Suzanne’s children on a long road trip will help him bond with her, but the adventure quickly turns into a series of unexpected challenges.

The film was a surprise box office hit, opening at number one in the U.S. and eventually grossing around $97 million worldwide. Its success led to a sequel, ‘Are We Done Yet?’, released in 2007, which focused on Nick and Suzanne’s life as newlyweds navigating the complexities of a blended family. In this sequel, their main obstacle came from a difficult contractor while building their dream home, which earned approximately $58 million globally.

Now, nearly two decades after the first film, the story is set to evolve. In ‘Are They Gone Yet?’, Nick will face a new challenge: becoming a grandfather. The script is being penned by Chris Hazzard and Mike Fontana, who are expected to bring the characters into this new chapter of their lives.

The return of Ice Cube and Nia Long also highlights the franchise’s legacy beyond films. Following the success of the first two movies, the series was adapted into a television sitcom on TBS, starring Terry Crews and Essence Atkins, which aired for three seasons from 2010 to 2013.

The new movie is being produced by Broken Road and CubeVision, with Ice Cube, Todd Garner, and Jeff Kwatinetz attached as producers. Ben Hurwitz and Lauren Gennawey will serve as executive producers.

The franchise has remained a staple of 2000s family comedy, with the original films fondly remembered for their blend of humor, parenting challenges, and the undeniable chemistry between Ice Cube and Long. These movies also showcased a different side of Ice Cube, who was already recognized for his music career and more serious acting roles.

With the upcoming sequel, the narrative is poised to explore the dynamics of a couple who once faced the trials of raising young children now dealing with the next generation. Instead of road trips with kids, Nick’s new challenge will involve family life from an entirely different angle.

While specific details regarding the plot, filming schedule, and release date are yet to be revealed, fans of the original films can look forward to another chapter featuring the same characters that started the franchise nearly 20 years ago. Deadline was the first to report on the upcoming third film.

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