Story perspectives

New Line Pauses Police Academy Reboot After Ferguson Shooting

6/19/2026

Summary

New Line Halts

New Line halted a Police Academy reboot after the August 9 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson.
Ike Barinholtz and writer David Stassen were hired to write an R-rated script starring Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key.
The original creator attended meetings and insisted deceased cast members appear even though several were already dead.
Barinholtz said the team deemed a police comedy inappropriate after Brown killing sparked protests.
New Line has not formally canceled the project.

Summary

Wayans Denounces

Police Academy launched in the 1980s as an “Animal House for cops” satire and has never received a modern reboot.
Ike Barinholtz said on his podcast he was hired to rewrite a Key and Peele reboot before it was cancelled.
Damon Wayans Jr. condemned the 2024 Let’s Be Cops film and pledged no sequel until police brutality ends.

History

Historical Context

In April 1992, the acquittal of four LAPD officers in the Rodney King beating sparked the Los Angeles riots, killing 63 people and exposing nationwide anger over police brutality. The August 9 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson reignited those tensions, prompting studios such as New Line Cinema to pause projects like the 2024 Police Academy reboot.

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New Line Halts

New Line halted a Police Academy reboot after the August 9 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson.
Ike Barinholtz and writer David Stassen were hired to write an R-rated script starring Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key.
The original creator attended meetings and insisted deceased cast members appear even though several were already dead.
Barinholtz said the team deemed a police comedy inappropriate after Brown killing sparked protests.
New Line has not formally canceled the project.

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