A third instalment in the long-running Jump Street franchise is officially in development, with 24 Jump Street reportedly in the works and key members of the original cast and creative team in talks to return, according to an exclusive report from Variety.
The project would mark the next chapter in Sony Pictures’ self-aware action-comedy series, following 21 Jump Street (2012) and 22 Jump Street (2014), both of which starred Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum as undercover officers Schmidt and Jenko.
According to Variety, Hill and Tatum are both expected to return, with Ice Cube also in talks to reprise his role as the no-nonsense Captain Dickson.
However, at this stage, Tatum is said to have only received an offer, with formal negotiations yet to be completed.
The new film is being developed with Rodney Rothman, known for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, attached as director. Rothman also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Hill and writer Meghan Malloy.
Behind the scenes, the project reunites much of the original creative team.
Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who directed the first two films and helped establish the franchise’s comedic identity, are returning as producers.
Neal H. Moritz, who has overseen the series since its inception, is also on board. Production companies involved include Free Association, led by Tatum and Reid Carolin, as well as Strong Baby, run by Hill and Matt Dines.
Channing Tatum. Kathy Hutchins, Shutterstock
The Jump Street franchise has long been one of Hollywood’s most self-referential comedy properties, originally reimagining the 1980s television series that starred Johnny Depp.
The first film followed two inexperienced police officers going undercover in a high school drug operation, unexpectedly becoming a breakout hit.
Its sequel, 22 Jump Street, shifted the action to a college campus and went on to outperform its predecessor, earning more than $331 million worldwide and cementing the series as a commercially successful comedy franchise.
A third instalment has been in various stages of development for more than a decade, with multiple ideas circulating over the years.
One of the most talked-about scrapped concepts reportedly involved a crossover with the Men in Black franchise, which was previously described by Tatum as one of the strongest scripts he had ever read for a potential third film.
“The best script that I’ve ever read for a third movie” is how Tatum previously described the abandoned crossover project, according to remarks cited by Variety.
Jonah Hill. Denis Makarenko, Shutterstock
The franchise has also embraced its own meta-humour in earlier entries, particularly in the closing moments of 22 Jump Street, which deliberately teases a series of increasingly absurd undercover assignments that could theoretically extend into numerous sequels.
These include storylines involving medical school, culinary school, firefighting, seminary training and even space travel, alongside animated and video game versions of the characters.
That self-referential approach is expected to continue with the decision to jump directly to 24 Jump Street, skipping the traditionally expected 23 Jump Street.
The numbering itself has become part of the joke, reflecting the franchise’s long-standing habit of parodying Hollywood sequel culture.
If it moves forward, the film would reunite Hill and Tatum on screen for the first time in the franchise in over a decade, reviving a pairing that became central to the success of the original two films.
Ice Cube’s return would also mark a continuation of one of the series’ most popular supporting roles, known for its deadpan delivery and explosive comedic energy.
At present, no release date has been confirmed, and casting negotiations remain ongoing.
However, with key producers and creative talent already attached, 24 Jump Street appears to be moving closer than any previous attempt to revive the franchise in recent years.
According to Variety, the development signals renewed momentum for one of Sony’s most recognisable comedy properties, even as final deals are still being worked out behind the scenes.
