In a 2021 interview with Comedy Hype, Faizon Love, who played Big Worm in the 1995 film ‘Friday,’ revealed that he was only paid $2,500 for his role. He went on to admit that money was the reason behind his decision to refuse to take part in the sequel by saying:
“They wanted to give me double scale. So scale was $2,500, right? So double scale was $5,000. The day after I said ‘No,’ I got a call to do a film for Warner Brothers called ‘[The] Replacements,’ and they paid me $100,000. So I ain’t crazy.”
While the actor also said he wasn’t ‘bitter’ about the sum, his statement caused discussions among fans on social media. As some accused the rapper of ‘robbing his own people,’ he explained on Twitter:
“I didn’t rob no f**kin’ body. The 1995 ‘Friday’ movie cost $2.3m to make. Shot it in 20 days. Faizon worked 1 day, maybe 2. All the actors got paid scale to do the movie. They could’ve simple said, ‘No,’ but they didn’t. So miss me with that s**t…”
When an online comment mentioned Chris Tucker’s rumored absence from the second film due to the payroll, Ice Cube clarified that Tucker’s decision was based on his religious beliefs. He said the actor didn’t want to ‘cuss and smoke weed’ on screen anymore, even when he was offered $10-12 million.
While the rumors and controversy arose and went on, Faizon Love added that he would return for a future ‘Friday’ project. Big Worm may make a new appearance in the fourth movie, ‘Last Friday,’ if Ice Cube and Warner Bros. come to terms with its creative direction.
Currently, the status of the series’ next film is unclear. The production company is yet to approve its making, while the rapper is trying to get the franchise’s rights, along with his other works like ‘All About the Benjamins’ and ‘The Players Club.’
I didn’t rob no fuckin body. The 1995 Friday movie cost $2.3m to make. Shot it in 20 days. Fazion worked 1 day, maybe 2. All the actors got paid scale to do the movie. They could’ve simple said “No” but they didn’t. So miss me with that shit… https://t.co/2K1dUFZ489
— Ice Cube (@icecube) December 29, 2021
We were ready to pay Chris Tucker $10-12m to do Next Friday but he turned us down for religious reasons. He didn’t want to cuss or smoke weed on camera anymore. https://t.co/1pfo1FHWzp
— Ice Cube (@icecube) December 29, 2021