Shit just got real, folks, Will Smith has reaffirmed that long-rumored action sequel Bad Boys 3 is still very much on the cards and will reunite him with his old partner-in-crime, Martin Lawrence.
Word comes by way of BBC Radio 1Xtra, where Smith revealed that he crossed paths with his former co-star Lawrence recently for the first time in years, which was seemingly enough for the actor to confirm that the time is nigh for the threequel to move forward.
“I saw Martin [Lawrence] a few weeks ago,” Smith revealed. “I haven’t seen him for about two years. We just looked at each other. We hugged. In that moment, we knew we were making another Bad Boys. We’re definitely doing another one.”
Further in the interview, the Concussion star noted that “there’s such a pull for nostalgia” in the movie industry of 2016, referencing upcoming franchise revivals in the vein of Independence Day: Resurgence – a sequel he won’t be part of due to commitments to David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. Even still, this rampant demand for the genre greats of yesteryear has given Smith the confidence to push ahead with Bad Boys 3.
Last we reported, the actor conceded that the follow-up was at least “12-16 months away” – that was four months ago. And though we wouldn’t take Smith’s estimation as gospel, that hasn’t prevented Sony Pictures from locking down release dates for not only Bad Boys 3, but a potential Bad Boys 4 as well. Currently, each sequel is attached to February 17, 2017 and July 3, 2019, respectively. However, considering the length of time it’s taken for Smith and Lawrence to carve out the necessary window for a high-octane blockbuster, don’t be too surprised if and when those dates are changed.
Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett are seemingly teetering on the edge of returning to the silver screen. But do you think it’s time for Sony Pictures to push full steam ahead with Bad Boys 3?