Universal Pictures is in the early stages of developing 'Ride Along 3', a sequel to the popular buddy-cop comedy franchise. According to verified industry reports, stars Ice Cube and Kevin Hart are in talks to reprise their roles as police officer James Payton and his brother-in-law Ben Barber, respectively.
Original director Tim Story and producer Will Packer are also reportedly attached to return for the project. The studio has brought on a new screenwriter, Phil Hay, known for co-writing 'The Invincible' and 'Destroy All Neighbors', to pen the script.
The first 'Ride Along' film, released in 2014, was a major box office success, grossing over $154 million worldwide. Its 2016 sequel, 'Ride Along 2', also performed well commercially. The potential third installment aims to reunite the core team that drove the franchise's popularity.
As of April 2026, the project remains in early development, with no official green light or production start date announced by Universal. Further casting and plot details are expected to be revealed as the screenplay is finalized.
