Friday is the kind of classic movie that has people wondering about an [another] sequel more than 20 years later.
But when they made the film in the mid-Nineties it was a small budget project with few expectations.
In an interview with Vlad TV, John Witherspoon [Pops] explained how little the stars of the comedy got.
“[Friday cost] $2 million. We got paid $5,000 a piece to do that movie,” Witherspoon explained “The movie grossed $300 million! And they’re not gonna come back and say, ‘Look, we made a lot of money gonna give y’all a bonus.’ That’s some bullshit—that don’t happen in Hollywood.”
“Five grand. Everybody else on the show, they’re gonna say they made more money, ain’t nobody make no money on that movie," he continued.
Witherspoon clarified that breakout star Chris Tucker also only got around 5K to make Friday. Ice Cube, however, ended up doing a lot better because he wrote the script and had backend and ownership.
Witherspoon was paid $400,000 for 2000’s Next Friday. He believes Tucker (who didn't return for the sequel) was offered more than that, but nowhere in the range of the $20 million he was getting for the Rush Hour films.
Witherspoon added that he doubts Tucker will reprise his Smokey character in any further Friday's. But Witherspoon will keep coming back. "I’ll be there ’cause I need that paper," the 76-year old said.