In the early 2000s, the Barbershop franchise seemed as if it would be an entertainment juggernaut. The original film, released in 2002, opened to laudatory reviews and impressive box office receipts--and was notable for having a nearly all-Black cast while Hollywood continued to discourage such projects. It was followed quickly by Barbershop 2: Back in Business, which saw most of the original cast reprise their roles despite a directorial change. It, too was successful on the commercial end; it's worth noting that $65.1 million of the film's $65.9 million in billings came from here in the United States. But when the Queen Latifah-starring spinoff Beauty Shop performed poorly, and a television show failed to stick, the franchise receded into the background and the bargain DVD bins.

Until now, that is. Today (Nov. 24), the trailer for Barbershop 3: The Next Cut hit the Internet. The talent from the hip-hop world alone might be worth the price of admission: Ice Cube, Nicki Minaj, Eve and Common show up alongside a star-studded cast that also includes Cedric the Entertainer, Deon Cole, Regina Hall, Michael Rainey Jr., Anthony Anderson and more. (Anderson stars in the ABC sitcom Black-ish; the script for Barbershop 3 was penned by Tracy Oliver and Black-ish creator Kenya Barris. The film is directed by Malcolm D. Lee.) Warner Brothers plans to roll out the film in April of next year.

 

 

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