The action-packed Bad Boys film series that has kept our hearts racing since 1995 shows no signs of slowing down! With the magnetic duo of Will Smith & Martin Lawrence steering the high-powered action and laughter, the franchise has become a cultural staple, exploding into our lives with the kind of pulse-pounding escapades. And this is something that only Mike and Marcus can deliver.
After the recent soaring success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, from a screenplay by Chris Bremner & Will Beall, the anticipation for the fifth installment is as electric as the chases down Miami’s palm-lined streets. It is obvious that this universe still has untold stories waiting to be told, echoing the thoughts of the leading actors themselves, who recently expressed their appreciation for the fifth movie’s potential.
Inside Will Smith’s Conditions For Bad Boys 5
So, start up your engines because the Bad Boys franchise is back in action with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which was a box office success, grossing a jaw-dropping $113.7 million & meeting its enormous $100 million budget (Box Office Mojo). Following the smoldering success of the latest installment, fans can’t help but wonder: Will there be a Bad Boys 5 in the works?
Well, in an exclusive scoop with Entertainment Weekly, the film’s leading stars, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, shared their thoughts on the possibility of a fifth flick. The Men in Black actor, 55, emphasized that the Bad Boys universe has developed into a rich tapestry of characters and stories that continue to rivet audiences.
He even joked that Bad Boys 5 would likely rely more on the younger cast members introduced in the series:
Well, these younger actors are going to need to do more of the stunts, that’s for sure. It is a world and characters that are just an absolute joy to be with. In a movie theater with Mike and Marcus, it just feels like home.
It goes without saying that Smith would never have wanted to be among those people who make “sequels” merely to attract viewers. His motivation for creating them is that they have a message to convey and the characters are heading in a direction that will make them “interesting” to watch. In his words:
So, as long as there’s a reason — I never wanted to be one of those dudes who make sequels just because people will go. I want to make them because there is something to say and the characters have a place that they’re developing to that will be interesting and fun to watch and maybe even a little helpful.
Lawrence echoed the same sentiments, stating that while nothing is set in stone, he is always open to the idea of returning to the franchise if the demand is there.
Bad Boys 5: Martin Lawrence is Open to Returning
The summer film season has been a letdown overall, with recent films like Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and The Fall Guy performing below expectations. So, definitely, the bright spot in the season has been the over-performing box office receipts of Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
In the same interview with EW, Martin Lawrence talked about the possibility of returning to reprise Marcus Burnett’s role for Bad Boys 5:
We’ll have to see. You know I never say never, but it also has to make sense. If the fans ask for it, you know we could be back.”
Lawrence, 59, seems optimistic, stating that he “never says never” when it comes to returning to the franchise. He also acknowledged that the ultimate decision will be made based on fan demand, emphasizing the importance of giving the audience what they want.
To quote him:
We always have so much fun making these movies, and you’ve got to give the fans what they want. Will and I have a great time working together, so as long as the fans want it and the demand is there, I’ll keep trying to give them what they want.
Whether Bad Boys 5 comes to fruition or not, fans can always rely on Will Smith and Martin Lawrence to deliver an entertaining and action-packed ride. As the latest installment receives a warm reception, ask yourself: are you ready to ‘ride or die’ all over again with a franchise that feels just like home?
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is now available in theaters.
