Nov. 23--"Barbershop: The Next Cut," the upcoming third film in the "Barbershop" franchise about a South Side barbershop, will explore gang violence in Chicago, People magazine reports.
Chicago-rapper-turned-actor Common and rapper Nicki Minaj have joined the crew at Calvin's Barbershop, according to People. Common, a South Side native, has been tapped to play the husband of hip-hop artist Eve's character Terri. "Barbershop" alumni Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer also are slated to return for the upcoming film.
"This ensemble came to work every day, and they left it all on the floor. In some of these scenes, you as an actor might have one or two lines, but they all stuck around," director Malcolm D. Lee said. "With Cube and Cedric, being the pillars of the film, they're also the pillars of the people on set. They set the tone."
It's been nearly 12 years since the release of the last "Barbershop" film, "Barbershop 2: Back in Business." The first and second movies in the franchise were filmed in Chicago. The third movie was filmed in Atlanta, according to the Chicago Film Office.
The series also produced a 2005 spin-off, "Beauty Shop," starring Queen Latifah.
"Barbershop: The Next Cut," which is scheduled to hit theaters April 15, will delve into the effect Chicago's growing violence has on the barbershop employees, People reports.
