Ice Cube is on a roll, bringing back his most beloved comedy franchises. After news of a potential 24 Jump Street and a Ride Along reunion, the rapper-turned-actor is now reviving another fan favorite: the Are We There Yet? franchise. According to a new report, Cube and Nia Long are officially reuniting for Are They Gone Yet?, a sequel that picks up nearly two decades after the last film.
Skydance Sports is developing the project, with Chris Hazzard and Mike Fontana—the duo behind the upcoming live-action Teddy Ruxpin movie—writing the screenplay. The story will follow Nick Persons (Cube) and Suzanne (Long) as they welcome grandchildren into their lives, offering a fresh, multigenerational twist on the original premise. Cube expressed his excitement in a statement: “We built something special with this franchise. Audiences grew up with Nick Persons, and now Nick’s got grandkids. Time flies. Partnering with Skydance to bring this story to a new generation is exactly the kind of move CubeVision was built for, and I am excited for the new partnership.”
A Franchise That Stood the Test of Time
The original Are We There Yet? (2005) was a surprise hit, grossing over $82 million domestically on a modest budget. Its sequel, Are We Done Yet? (2007), earned $58 million, bringing the franchise’s total box office to $156 million. Now, 19 years after the last installment, the series is getting a new lease on life. The shift to grandparents is a smart move, allowing the comedy to evolve while keeping the core dynamic that fans loved.
Cube’s recent franchise activity has been nothing short of a comeback tour. He’s in talks for 24 Jump Street with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill, and a Ride Along threequel with Kevin Hart is also gaining momentum. Even the Friday series is moving forward with Last Friday. But Are They Gone Yet? stands out as a family-friendly entry that could attract both nostalgic adults and new younger viewers.
What to Expect from the Sequel
While plot details remain under wraps, the premise of Nick and Suzanne dealing with grandkids promises plenty of comedic chaos. The original films thrived on the couple’s bickering and the absurd situations they faced while traveling with children. Now, with a new generation, the humor can explore the challenges of modern parenting (and grandparenting) in a world of tablets, social media, and helicopter parents.
For fans of the franchise, this is a welcome return. The Are We There Yet? movies were a staple of mid-2000s family comedies, and Cube and Long’s chemistry was a big reason why. Their reunion is sure to generate buzz, especially as Skydance Sports—known for producing sports-related content—expands into comedy. The studio’s involvement also hints at a potential streaming or theatrical release, though no distribution plans have been announced yet.
In a landscape where reboots and sequels dominate, Are They Gone Yet? feels like a natural progression rather than a cash grab. It’s a chance to revisit beloved characters while introducing them to a new audience. As Cube put it, “Time flies.” And for fans who grew up with Nick Persons, this sequel is a trip worth taking.
