The first “Ride Along” film made $155 million globally ($135 million was domestic) at the box office, on a $25 million budget; and the second earned $125 million worldwide ($90 million domestic) on a $40 million budget. Both clearly profitable for the studio (Universal) – the first more-so than the second. So a third film getting a greenlight maybe shouldn’t surprise.

The Wrap is reporting exclusively that Kevin Hart and Ice Cube will likely team up again for “Ride Along 3,” with Tim Story, who helmed the first 2 films in the franchise, expected to return to the do the same for the 3rd.

Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi are currently penning the script based on a story by Greg Coolidge.

Plot details are being kept underwraps at this time.

Ice Cube will return produce through his CubeVision shingle with Will Packer and Matt Alvarez.

The pairing of Cube and Hart continues to be a winner for Universal; Hart specifically, who earned (according to Forbes) over $80 million from 2015 to 2016, has certainly demonstrated that he can sell tickets and attract eyebals, whether it’s to films he stars in, or stand-up comedy specials. He also headlines a hit TV series on BET (“Real Husbands of Hollywood”), which is heading into its 5th season.

His latest stand-up special, “Kevin Hart: What Now?”, is getting a wide theatrical release this weekend, and just might surprise analysts and take the number 1 spot, beating out Ben Affleck’s “The Accountant,” which is opening on 800 more screens.

Ride Along-3

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week