In the world of crime-solving, humor and action often go hand in hand, and the “Bad Boys” franchise exemplifies this dynamic. Sony Pictures delighted fans earlier this year by announcing the return of Detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) for a fourth installment of the beloved crime-fighting series. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who previously helmed 2020’s “Bad Boys for Life,” are set to direct the upcoming sequel, which is currently in pre-production. While the release date for “Bad Boys 4” is scheduled for June 24, 2024, co-director Adil El Arbi recently offered some insights into the film’s possible title and tone.
The “Bad Boys” franchise first hit the big screen in 1995, and its iconic duo is now gearing up for another adventure. During a recent appearance on The Playlist’s The Discourse podcast, El Arbi hinted at what fans can expect from the upcoming sequel:
“Well, you know, the title that we like – I don’t know that they’re going to go for it yet – would be like ‘Bad Boys Ride or Die’ because ‘Bad Boys 4 Life’ is already taken. We didn’t know there was going to be a fourth one, you know?
“But yeah, what’s going to happen in this one is, I think that there’s going to be way more comedy. The third one had the dramatic tone. With this one, it’s really our purpose to get people laughing and having a good time in the theater. Martin [Lawrence] is going to a higher level in this one. This is the culmination of the Marcus Burnett arc.”
The potential title, “Bad Boys Ride or Die,” reflects the franchise’s enduring theme of action-packed camaraderie. While the third installment, “Bad Boys for Life,” embraced a more dramatic tone, El Arbi suggests that the fourth film will prioritize humor and entertainment, aiming to have audiences laughing and thoroughly enjoying themselves. He also hints at Martin Lawrence’s character, Marcus Burnett, reaching new comedic heights in this installment, marking the culmination of his character arc.
“Bad Boys for Life” was a resounding success, grossing an impressive $426 million worldwide. The decision to bring back the iconic duo for a fourth film is a testament to the enduring appeal of the franchise. However, for star actor Will Smith, it could also be seen as a step towards redemption following the controversial events at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony earlier this year.
Unfortunately, production for “Bad Boys 4” faced an unexpected setback due to the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). As of now, it remains uncertain when filming will resume. Nevertheless, fans can mark their calendars as “Bad Boys 4” is set to hit theaters on June 14, 2024, promising more action, humor, and camaraderie from Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett.
