Universal Revives ‘Ride Along 3’ with Fresh Writing Talent

After a decade stalled in development, Universal is officially moving forward with 'Ride Along 3.' The studio has tapped Catherine Reitman to pen the script, signaling a new direction for the franchise that paired Ice Cube’s veteran grit with Kevin Hart’s frenetic energy. Original director Tim Story and producer Will Packer are both confirmed to return, ensuring the foundational DNA of the $278 million series remains intact. The revival comes at a time when the buddy-cop genre is seeing a quiet resurgence, leaning on the chemistry of established duos to anchor theatrical releases. While the first two films relied heavily on the 'straight man vs. chaos' trope, the addition of Reitman suggests a potential shift toward the sharper, character-driven humor seen in her work on 'Workin’ Moms.' For Cube, the project is a return to the commercial comedy lane that solidified his transition from N.W.A firebrand to one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading men.