I blame Chris Tucker for fukking this up with his pretentious bytch ass. Cube wanted to make the perfect final sendoff for the series and needed Chris to reprise his role as Smokey to really solidify it. The fans wanted it. Not sure if he has finally convinced him now or they are just gonna make it with the cast from the sequels, but with Chris constantly turning it down or riding the fence.. so many years went by that actors who played some major parts have passed away... and the rest of the nikkas is well into grandpa status. Sad shyt.