What Is Chris Tucker Religion? Why Did He Turn Down The Offer Of $12 Million?

May 2024 · 5 minute read

Ice Cube declares his Friday costar Chris Tucker turned down $12 million to reprise his role in the sequel.

The duo’s 1995 comedy was a hit, spawning two sequels: 2000’s Next Friday and 2002’s Friday After Next. Tucker, however, did not return to play Smokey in the subsequent films because of what Ice Cube, who was also a producer on the movies, said were “religious reasons.

We were ready to pay Chris Tucker $10-12m to do Next Friday but he turned us down for religious reasons. He didn’t want to cuss or smoke weed on camera anymore,” tweeted the rapper/actor, 52, when someone asked Wednesday whether Tucker “quit over money” reasons.

A rep for Tucker did not instantly respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Last month, Tucker, 50, reflected on his decision to back out from the subsequent sequels.

Back then, I gotta tell you, one of the reasons why I didn’t do the second one was because of the weed,” Tucker said in an interview with All Urban Central. “Because I said, man, that movie became a phenomenon. I don’t want everybody smoking weed — and I never really told people this because I kind of forgot about it, but it was one of the reasons why I didn’t do it. Because I said, ‘I don’t wanna represent everybody smoking weed.'”

And that’s one of the reasons why I said ‘nah.’ I didn’t wanna keep doing that character. It probably was good for me because it kept me moving to the next phase and next movies,” Tucker added.

He also said other reasons for his decision not to go back to Friday, saying, “I never thought about doing sequels. I always wanted to do a good job and keep moving to the next movie.

Tucker starred in three Rush Hour movies with costar Jackie Chan, plus films like 1997’s The Fifth Element and 2012’s Silver Linings Playbook.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

About the idea of coming back for a long-rumored fourth Friday movie, Tucker said he would “definitely consider it.”

I always said — because I know my fans love the movies so much [and] they always bring it up — I said, well, if they come to me with a great script and a great idea, I’d definitely consider it,” he said. “But it’s been so long ago and that character became such a great character. I don’t wanna mess it up.”

What is Chris Tucker’s Religion?

Chris Tucker was born into a Christian family and reportedly practiced the faith as a child.

His parents, Mary Louise and Norris Tucker were members of the Church of God in Christ.

Chris doesn’t endorse his faith on his socials; in a 2014 interview, he openly spoke about his religious beliefs.

I never was a raunchy, raunchy comic but I didn’t think about what I was saying because I was young,” he said.

Being a Christian helps me in comedy. I have to talk about other stuff. Normally, most comics talk about stuff that’s easy—maybe cussing or saying something raunchy.

“I have to dig deeper to find something that’s still funny and not raunchy. It’s harder. I like the challenge.”

List of Top Chris Tucker Movies

Rush Hour (1998)

When the young daughter of the Chinese diplomat Han is abducted, he asks the help of his trusted Hong Kong detective, Inspector Lee. 

He is teamed up with LAPD detective James Carter, a big mouth who prefers to work alone. These two, who cannot stand each other, end up working together to solve the case before the FBI.

Friday (1995)

After getting fired the previous day, Craig spends his Friday afternoon smoking weed with his friend Smokey. Now drug dealer Big Worm wants either money or the weed, but they are in big trouble with no money to pay him.

If that is not enough, neighborhood characters like bully Deebo, Craig’s crush Debbie, and others add more spice to their Friday.

Le cinquième élément (1997)

In the twenty-third century, when the great Evil threatens the Earth, a cab driver and former Major find the Fifth Element, the only weapon capable of destroying Evil, in his car in the form of the woman Leeloo. 

He must deliver her safely to her contact, priest Vito Cornelius, avoiding evil industrialist Zorg and his mercenary Mangalores.

Rush Hour 2 (2001)

The second installment in the Rush Hour series doesn’t fail to deliver in comedy and high-intensity action. 

Chief Inspector Lee and LAPD Detective James Carter pursue Fu-Cang-Long triad boss Ricky Tan, who masterminds a bomb attack at the US Embassy in Hong Kong. 

Rush Hour 3 (2007)

After a failed attempt on Ambassador Han’s life, Hong Kong Chief Inspector Lee and LAPD detective Carter fly to Paris to safeguard a French woman who has vital information about the Chinese Triads. 

As the lethal syndicate Triads strike to stop them from reaching the report, Lee continues to fight even after recognizing one of the Triads as his childhood friend.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7t7XZmpqaZpOkunCvx6ugrGWkqrCssdFmpKiumZrAcA%3D%3D