Ice Cube to Star in “Welcome Back, Kotter” Movie

James Joyner @ Gone Hollywood | Wednesday, March 15, 2006

MTV’s Chris Harris reports that Ice Cube will play the lead in a movie remake of “Welcome Back, Kotter.”

Ice Cube is not ashamed to admit that when it comes to “Welcome Back, Kotter,” the 1970s series that helped launch John Travolta’s acting career, there “was no bigger fan than me.” And Cube is thrilled about his latest role — as the lead in Hollywood’s big-screen adaptation of the sitcom classic.

According to Variety, Ice Cube has signed on to both star in and produce “Welcome Back, Kotter,” and the rapper’s “very excited to be able to put a new twist on it.” The rapper/actor — who executive produces the FX reality series “Black. White.” — has inked a deal with Dimension Films, the company that will be releasing “Kotter.” Production is expected to begin this fall with Tom Brady (”The Hot Chick,” “The Animal”) in final negotiations to direct and write the script.

Cube will assume the role of a wisecracking teacher who returns to the rough inner-city high school from which he graduated. There he encounters the next generation of unruly, underprivileged troublemakers — who are as apathetic about education as he once was.

Somehow, I don’t think Mr. Kotter would have approved of such Ice Cube classics as “We Had to Tear This Motha—– Up” and “The Nigga Of The Century.”