Although he hasn't been on the big screen as of late, Ice Cube has been very busy behind the camera. Coming out this week is another one of his productions, 'Lottery Ticket,' starring Bow Wow, Brandon T. Jackson, Naturi Naughton and Cube himself in a supportive role.

The Los Angeles native is also the producer on TBS hit comedy series 'Are We There Yet?,' which stars Terry Crews and Essence Atkins. The series was just given the green light for 90 more episodes after airing only 10.

Since its debut on June 2, the series is television's No. 1 show among African American audiences in the 18 to 49 and 18 to 34 demographics.

Black Voices caught up with Cube as he spoke about his latest film and the success of the television show.

How did this film come together?

Ice Cube: Well, it was just kind of in my wheelhouse at CubeVision. I think we're the masters of the neighborhood comedy. So when this script came to us, it involved working with another first-time director which has become our specialty, too, it was a no-brainer. I think everybody can relate to it because it's funny and fun.

This is the first time you've taken a supporting role in a film you produced. Is that by choice?

Ice Cube: Well, that's what the role really presented. I wanted to get out the box a little bit and Mr. Washington was the perfect vehicle for me to kind of expand my chops. So that's the part that I really wanted. I didn't mind taking a backseat. I believe in making good movies.

What made Bow Wow the perfect casting choice for the lead as well as adding other newcomers to the film?

Ice Cube: I just think he has the look and he's been doing a few movies in Hollywood and really getting his chops together. I think he was just ready to lead this movie. We also like to give the new wave of Hollywood a shot to shine. Here it is. This is a movie that the twenty-somethings can hang their hat on.

There's a host of other actors in this movie who are great, including a few familiar faces from your previous films?

Ice Cube: People I've worked with before came in. We called in some favors from people like Mike Epps and Charlie [Murphy]. I've worked with all of them. I think that they just really love being a part of CubeVision Productions. When we called, they jumped at the chance to come and put their little flavor into this ensemble cast.

What would you do if you had a winning lottery ticket and you had to wait four days?

Ice Cube: I'd do what he was doing and not to tell anybody. I'd just tell a certain few, real close people because you know when you have that ticket and your homeboys see you turn it in, funny things happen.

As a producer, did you work with the writers on mixing the drama and the comedy?

Ice Cube: Yeah. We always beat out scripts and get them as tight as we can. On this movie, it wasn't really easy to corral the storyline and the comedy. We ended up trimming and just getting it to where it's calibrated right because it does have a lot of heart and big comedy. So we wanted to make sure that we each element has its fair due.

And what was it like shooting the film in Atlanta?

Ice Cube: It was fun. It was real good. We definitely benefited on the shoot because it gave us a little bit different of an atmosphere than Los Angeles or Chicago. So, to me, it's always good to change locations and kind of be all over the place and let the world know that this kind of stuff goes down everywhere.

I'm hearing that you're close to getting that 90-episode deal with TBS. Is that happening?

Ice Cube: Yes, I believe it is going to happen. We're excited about that. Not only the commitment from TBS but just to be able to do that much TV, and how much fun we'll have in the next couple of years putting this stuff together. So everybody is really excited.

Will that distract you from doing more films? Will you be really hands on with the show?

Ice Cube: I'm going to be hands on. I'm going to get in where I can fit in and we have a good show runner. He's actually a great show runner. Ali LeRoi, who did 'Everyone Hates Chris.' If I happen to take a couple of weeks to do a movie, our sitcom is still in great hands.

Are you anywhere near close to casting 'Straight Out of Compton' or is that still on that table?

Ice Cube: We're still trying to get the script together. I think we're really worried about that part right now. That to me is the most important thing, to get a good script. Casting is fun. That's when you know you've got your good material and you try to put the right pieces together. So that's a little down the road.

How is it that you can get this off the ground but 'The Janky Promoters' fell by the wayside?

Ice Cube: Oh, man, that was the Weinsteins. They really kind of did us dirty, and they didn't have the money to put the movie in theaters and we were supposed to go sell the movie. While we were in the process of selling it, they just put it out on DVD.

People don't realize that the box office numbers you and Mike Epps bring in.

Ice Cube: Yeah, and it was shocking to see that I was treated like stolen jewelry. That was the first time that ever happened to me in Hollywood. It was all done behind our backs. It was real dirty.

What's your next project then?

Ice Cube: Right now, I'm just going to do a movie called 'Rampart,' which is a movie with Woody Harrelson. He plays a dirty cop in the Rampart Division of the LAPD. I play a homicide detective trying to catch him. Oren Moverman is directing it. It's a pretty good movie.