Ice Cube Stars In 'Welcome Back, Kotter' Film

Friday, March 17, 2006
By: Kenny Rodriguez

Ice Cube’s company, Cube Vision Productions, has inked a deal with Dimension Films to bring “Welcome Back, Kotter” to the big screen, starring Cube in the movie’s title role.

In his film adaptation, Cube hopes to capture the comedic success of the 1970s TV sitcom. “Welcome Back, Kotter” had a four-year run on ABC, and introduced the world to then-rising star John Travolta.

“There was no bigger fan of the original show than me, and I’m very excited to be able to put a new twist on it,” said Cube, who plays wise-cracking teacher Gabe Kotter, a slacker who returns to his inner-city alma mater to get through to a group of troublemaking students.

The show’s creator and star, Gabe Kaplan, recently told Access Hollywood how he thinks Ice Cube “is the perfect guy… He has shown what kind of crossover appeal he has.” “I think that the setting is going to be in South Central, LA,” said Kaplan. “He is going to be just like how I was in Brooklyn.”

Film production is expected to begin this fall following the completion of Cube’s next cinematic project, “Are We Done Yet” – a sequel to last year’s comedy hit “Are We There Yet.” Meanwhile Cube is also working on his latest album Laugh Now, Cry Later, set for release in June.

(22) Comments | Post a comment »

Never seen the series (too young) but cube is going to put his twist on it which is going to be cool.

Posted by CEmejuru

Way to go dough boy!

Posted by Sair

Thats enouf sair...and yeah ice cube should concentrate on makin that hot street gangsta music instead of cinema

Posted by pktigerpl

Wtf.... Look them nwa days are long gone. He done expanded so much in his career-that if he even tried to slip back into that gangsta street role-no one would buy it-for the simple fact more people know him from doin tv and movies than his rap music. Plus duke is a family man-how gangsta can you be-living well wit wife and kids?! cube should continue doing film and do his music as he feels to do it. F*ck fittin any ones expectations-cuz theyre expectation cant make him no money -peace!

Posted by cense251

Plus welcome back kotter is classic-my two fav knuckle heads were freddy boom-boom and horse shack-that laugh tickles me. Hehehehehehehehe!!!!

Posted by cense251

Cense251 is a F*ck*ng genius. Feelin you on your first comment dawg.

Posted by CEmejuru

Good looks famz... Jus sayin my peice! lol

Posted by cense251

Cube in the title role will be straight. Welcome back kotter was a funny show back in the days. It is good to see this brother expanding his empire. To cense251: real gangsta call shots above the streets and make money all over. Cube qualifies.

Posted by ffilc

Do your thing cube!!!

Posted by SouthSide711

Nwa is dead, and all the efforts of dre can do nothing to reverss the situation. R.i.p to compton's best

Posted by rdibiase

I prefer the old n.w.a. Anti-authority ice cube than this new commercialised ice cube that's trying to save his career.

Posted by Spider bloke

Man who wouldnt love thier fav artists to stay raw, rugged, and, non establishment-but wen the money start flowing its hard to remain that way. These guys got bills, familys, and careers to build. I dont knock change or success-but i do knock n*ggaz gettin big head being all hollywood.

Posted by cense251

If this man aint 40 plus hes knocking right at the door....if he would be still on that ole skool shyt with no progression he would have been gone like the ppl who are still on it. I wouldnt call it gangsta' i would call it "out of touch with reality". This man obviously is in touch and doint what he should be doing. I just wish he would be apart of the hip hop voice more.

Posted by Kalliope4eva

A part ....dayem..whats up with my fanguz...

Posted by Kalliope4eva

What career is he tryin to save cat daddy doin his thing

Posted by luckluciano76

Its all bout progression.

Posted by cense251

First it was onyx then ice-t da queen of the planet(ask yoda) and cube i know the funny make the money but remember bambozzled if u do it to get in nah u in do something. :-(

Posted by CyKe

Who wants tv or movies from intelligent colored folk? (i mean i do) but white america certainly doesnt-they want to be entertain like we,ve been during for several hundred yrs. Even some colored folk do not want to watch anything informortative that would futher mental progression. Every one wants a laugh and the more outlandish & bafoonish the better. (flavor of love)--if he wasnt wildin out being all loud and silly-who would watch it- it jus be another reality dating show.. And that has been a struggle that black entertainers have tried to over come.how to entertain, make money, w/o looking foolish-or being accuse of cooninig or catering to white america (ie oprah or montell). I say F*ck it! do what u do.. Cuz u cant plz every one!

Posted by cense251

Yo you right cuz cense251 talking a lot of sense i say f*ck it. Let ice cube do what it do on the real f*ck what people think bout him

Posted by still born 1

Werd still... Its real talk yo!

Posted by cense251

I have been checking out this sight and decided to finally join and cense has always been a fav...big up! now as far as ice cube goes i got the utmost respect for him, ppl mature and have priorities in there lives, the bible says there's time for a man to put away childish things, let the man be....he' s evovled, wish we could all be so lucky and make a positive change....jah bless bredrens!

Posted by jahbless

Welcome back is a very difficult role i would really like to see how cubes supporting cast delivers. If he is supported by the right cast i believe this will be one the biggest hits that mr cube has created. Cube is an icon for the african american male community and i believe that being involved in a classroom setting is what are younger brothers need to see of him go head cube i got your back

Posted by fough