‘Ride Along 3’ With Ice Cube, Kevin Hart Hires New Writer After a Decade in Development

The long-awaited third installment of the 'Ride Along' buddy cop franchise is moving forward at Universal Pictures, with the studio hiring a new writer to develop the script. The project, which has been in various stages of development for nearly a decade, aims to reunite stars Ice Cube and Kevin Hart, alongside director Tim Story and producer Will Packer, signaling a renewed commitment to reviving the popular comedy series. The decision to hire a new writer suggests Universal is serious about finally bringing 'Ride Along 3' to the screen after years of stalled momentum. The first two films, released in 2014 and 2016 respectively, were major commercial successes, grossing over $300 million globally combined. Their formula of pairing Ice Cube's stern, by-the-book detective with Kevin Hart's fast-talking, aspiring police officer proved highly popular with audiences, creating a franchise with clear sequel potential. The prolonged development hiatus was reportedly due to scheduling conflicts with the in-demand stars and a search for the right story direction. This new development phase indicates that the core creative team believes there is more comedic territory to explore with the characters. The hiring of a fresh writer is a strategic move to inject new energy and perspective into the franchise, potentially modernizing the humor or plot while retaining the dynamic that made the original films work. For Universal, reviving a proven, bankable franchise represents a relatively safe bet in a theatrical landscape where established IP carries significant weight. While no production start date or release window has been announced, this hiring marks the most concrete step toward a third 'Ride Along' film in years.