Malcolm D. Lee is finalizing a deal to direct Barbershop 3 for MGM, with the studio quickly putting together deals for Ice Cube (Calvin Palmer) and Cedric the Entertainer (Eddie) to reprise their roles from 2002's Barbershop and 2004's Barbershop 2: Back In Business. We reported in March of last year that MGM is moving forward with the sequel, with Ice Cube set to both star and produce.

The report from March revealed that the studio was seeking a screenwriter, but it isn't known if the script is currently being worked on. The original Barbershop was a surprise hit in 2002, taking in a healthy $75 million domestic from just a $15 million budget. The story followed Calvin and the wide-ranging characters that inhabit his Chicago barbershop. The 2004 sequel Barbershop 2: Back In Business earned $65 million domestic from a $30 million budget, and it also spawned the spinoff Beauty Shop starring Queen Latifah.

It isn't known if other Barbershop and Barbershop 2: Back In Business cast members such as Sean Patrick Thomas (Jimmy), Eve (Terri), Troy Garity (Isaac), Michael Ealy (Ricky) and Leonard Earl Howze (Dinka) will reprise their roles for the sequel. Malcolm D. Lee most recently directed The Best Man Holiday, which will be followed by The Best Man Wedding next year.