Eddie Murphy is the GOAT. He’s the GOAT of SNL; he’s the GOAT of Black comedy; he’s probably the GOAT of all comedy in general. Which means even other famous people get super weird when they are around him. Eric Andre just recently told a story about everyone acting weird around Eddie Murphy when he showed up at Ted Sarandos’ party. This is a real thing that happens. In fact, his in-law Martin Lawrence even has a story about this.

Opening up in a speech at Netflix’s Eddie Murphy AFI achievement, Martin Lawrence got real about the first time he met the former SNL star. It was well before his daughter married Murphy’s son. At the time, he was just sort of becoming a known name in Hollywood for the first time. So, he ended up in the same room with Murphy, who shot him down hard.

Eddie Murphy was already famous by the mid-eighties thanks to “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood” and other infamous SNL sketches. He joined the show at only 19, and now he’s about to become a grandad, so he’s legitimately been famous for more than 45 years. Lawrence is just a few years younger than Murphy, but he didn’t become famous until Martin broke big in 1992, and by then the other comedian had already broken very big with leading man movie roles like Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America.

These days, Martin Lawrence feels comfortable bothering the other comedian as much as he wants, and his playful comment is giving me trolling vibes in the best way.

Now, Martin Lawrence is no slouch in the comedy department, but it’s clear he feels Murphy is on a totally different level. He even literally said as much a few months ago ahead of their kids getting married. When asked who was making the toasts, he admitted it should be Eddie Murphy, both ‘cause he’s funnier and because the Bad Boys star was worried about getting emotional. It's unclear if he deferred to his buddy when it came time to pick up the check too.

In 2021, fans had humorously sweet thoughts to share after it was revealed that Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy’s kids were in a relationship. Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence eventually tied the knot in 2025, with Eddie confirming that the pair opted for a small ceremony in a church as opposed to a big wedding bankrolled by him or Martin. All the while, fans have been wondering whether Jasmin and Eric will have kids or even a “comedy super-baby.” Well, the two are now expecting, and we have some details.

When Did Eric Murphy And Jasmin Lawrence Announce Her Pregnancy?

Murphy and Martin revealed earlier in February that they were expecting their first child. The announcement came courtesy of an Instagram post that was jointly shared to both the expectant mom and dad’s accounts. The post included some sweet maternity photos, which they credited to Willie T, and they also dropped a brief caption: “Thank you Jesus for the greatest gift”. Check out the post below to see the images:

Although I don’t have children myself, I’d imagine that it’s an exciting time when a couple prepares to welcome their first kid. And, as happy as Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy’s kids are, fans also seem to be just as, if not more, pumped. The comments section of the thread is filled with positive messages, and it’s lovely to see. When Jasmin and Eric dropped those photos weeks ago, they didn’t reveal the sex of their child. Yet they’ve since revealed that news and more.

What Are Jasmin Lawrence And Eric Murphy Having, And What Will They Be Named?

Recent photos and videos shared to social media revealed that Murphy and Lawrence had a baby shower. Lawrence shared a few pictures along with some clips to her Instagram stories and retweeted posts from loved ones. In her own video post, which was captured by People, Lawrence not only confirmed she and her hubby were expecting a girl but also revealed what her name will be:

That’s a sweet name, and I love just how excited Jasmin Lawrence is to become a mom. While sharing posts on Instagram, Lawrence also reposted a photo from one of her guests, Taylor Finney, which shows the two of them alongside Murphy. Check it out:

A since-expired post also showed Martin Lawrence embracing his daughter in a sweet photo taken at the shower. From outside looking in, it feels as though Lawrence and Eddie Murphy are looking forward to the new baby.

Eddie Murphy Shared A Funny Take On Eric Having A Kid With Jasmin Lawrence

Some people may laugh, but there really have been fans who’ve been wondering whether the Murphy/Lawrence baby could end up being incredibly funny. Eddie Murphy commented on that possibility even before his son exchanged vows with Martin’s daughter. When the Beverly Hills Cop star broached the topic in 2024, he said:

Following Eric and Jasmin’s eventual engagement, it was particularly funny to hear their dads talk about their nuptials and joke about who would be paying for it. Aside from the potential cost of the wedding, though, Martin also suggested that Eddie give the toast at the wedding, saying he’s “funnier” than he is. While none of that came to pass, the two dads haven’t seemed displeased over how everything turned out.

I personally couldn’t be happier for the Murphy and Lawrence families, as they await the arrival of their latest addition. Here’s wishing the best to Jasmin and Eric on the arrival of their bundle of joy.

You can probably use one hand to count the blockbuster movie franchises which have the same stars all the way through and continue to thrill audiences decades in. We thought that one such big-screen action series, Bad Boys, was going to be a given to continue, even though the 2025 movie schedule isn’t set to bring us another entry. However, it sounds like a hiccup in the real relationship between stars Martin Lawrence and Will Smith might be putting a crimp in possible plans for Bad Boys 5.

What’s Being Said About Bad Boys 5 And The BTS Relationship Of Martin Lawrence And Will Smith?

There’s no denying that the Bad Boys franchise is one of our most-beloved, and one of the reasons for that is the chemistry between Martin Lawrence and Will Smith as the titular leads, Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey. The men who portray the Miami police detectives have always seemed to have a close friendship in real life, with Lawrence being the one to convince Smith to sign on to the 1995 hit without a script.

A new report from Radar Online, though, is suggesting that we actually might not get the expected sequel to 2024’s mega-hit, Bad Boys: Ride or Die because the comedian and the rapper have very different lifestyles now. As an insider told the outlet:

While I don’t necessarily know if any of their fans did think that the duo were “best friends” in real life, it has certainly seemed that they at least enjoyed working together and got along well enough to like spending downtime together during the long hours on set. Plus, from the actors admitting they “blew” the title of Bad Boys 3, to the Oscar winner giving Lawrence a sweet tribute and having previously shouted out their decades of friendship, it certainly didn’t appear that either of them were denying that there was a bit of a bromance going on.

As we know, though, people change and so do their lives, and you can be friends with someone and eventually have a lifestyle that doesn’t really jive with theirs. Allegedly, this is where the Big Momma’s House talent and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star are right now. The insider continued:

Alright, this isn’t exactly a positive potential update, but it’s also not the death knell of the franchise, either. Even if this rumor is accurate, it would take some time to get Bad Boys 5 off the ground, seeing as how the actors hadn’t had any conversations about the story for the possible sequel by the time the 30th anniversary of the franchise rolled around this April.

There were four years between the third and fourth entries, so Lawrence could, theoretically, hang out without his on-screen partner for three-ish years then gear up to rejoin him. Hopefully, if there is trouble in Bad Boys paradise, that will be enough time for them to find “a reason” for the sequel and continue to give fans what we want.

It finally happened, Eddie Murphy’s son and Martin Lawrence’s daughter are married! That’s right, after lots of chatter from their dads, Jasmin Lawrence and Eric Murphy tied the knot. Now, as the Saturday Night Live alum revealed this happy news, he also, of course, had some jokes about it, which included a quip about his fellow actor and who was paying for their kids' wedding.

For years now, as Murphy and Lawrence’s kids dated and eventually got engaged, their parents have been joking about their wedding. Specifically, Murphy apparently insisted on Lawrence paying for the wedding, according to the Bad Boys actor. Well, now, even though their kids are married, jokes about who will foot the bill are still happening, as the Beverly Hills Cop actor said on The Jennifer Hudson Show:

According to the Shrek actor, his son and Lawrence’s daughter had a very small ceremony. So, there was no big wedding and no big bill to pay.

Clarifying that point further, when Hudson asked if her Dreamgirls co-star sang at the ceremony, he said “no” and provided a few more details about his kid’s wedding, saying:

Well, that’s adorable, and I’m sure this party will be one giant celebration of their love. However, Murphy clarified, again after Hudson asked again, that he would not be signing during it. However, he did joke that Martin Lawrence might, and then conceded that maybe they’d do a duet.

Overall, this is all so sweet, and I love how happy Eddie Murphy appears to be for his son and daughter-in-law. However, I also can’t stop laughing because even though the knot has been tied, he is still joking about who will pay for the wedding.

I guess the question now is about who will pay for this “big party” they might throw. My guess is the Coming to America star will still be campaigning for Lawrence to take the bill.

However, I’d love to hear from the Martin star about this matter. How did he feel about their kids having a tiny ceremony? Does he still want Eddie Murphy to give a toast at their kids' potential reception? Also, is he in on this plan for a “big party,” and will he pay for it? Hopefully, he’ll chat about it someday, and considering he has spoken about being in-laws with his co-star on a few occasions, I imagine we will hear from him eventually.

Now, I’m looking forward to seeing how this light-hearted conversation about their kids’ love continues. In the past, Murphy has joked about the potential for them to have funny kids, and as I mentioned, this ongoing debate about who will pay for the celebration of their love is always entertaining.

Plus, Eddie Murphy has said he wants to work with Martin Lawrence again, and if that happens, the two of them doing interviews together could lead to funny interactions about being in-laws. However, for now, let’s all say cheers to the happy couple and their recent marriage, and cross our fingers that we’ll someday get to find out who actually paid for the celebration.

There are a number of franchises that run out of gas after a few years, but the love for Bad Boys has seemed to only grow with time. It was a full three decades ago this month that the original directed by Michael Bay arrived in theaters, and last year's Bad Boys: Ride Or Die successfully crossed $400 million at the worldwide box office. There is clearly still a hunger for more adventures featuring Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, and star Martin Lawrence feels that as long as there is demand, there should be consistent supply.

Currently promoting the new animated comedy Sneaks (which is now in theaters), Lawrence spoke with Entertainment Tonight about the current status of the Bad Boys franchise. He has a great passion for the legacy of the franchise, which really began when he asked Will Smith to sign on for the first film without seeing the script, and he is as impressed as anyone by the love expressed by movie-goers. Said the actor,

Bad Boys can be counted as a landmark film in the history of action cinema, as it launched Michael Bay's career making blockbusters, brought Martin Lawrence's career to a whole new level, and turned Will Smith into a bona fide movie star. There was a long 17 year stretch between 2003's Bad Boys II and 2020's Bad Boys For Life, but Bad Boys: Ride Or Die cut that gap down to four years, and ticket sales suggest that the studio shouldn't waste any time making a fifth chapter.

As for that fourth sequel, Martin Lawrence and Will Smith apparently haven't had any kind of sit down to talk about story ideas or new developments for their characters, but he does confirm that the decision-makers as Sony Pictures are actively discussing Bad Boys 5. Said Lawrence,

Bad Boys: Ride Or Die is a film that digs into the canon of the franchise in development of the plot, as Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett are put in a position of clearing their names after being accused of corruption, and it feels like it could have been used as a conclusion for the franchise – but it seems there is too much love for the movies to let the series end. Will Smith expressed interest in making more sequels almost immediately after the release of Bad Boys 4, so Bad Boys 5 definitely feels like it's inevitable.

Obviously we don't know at this present time when we will actually get to see the next Bad Boys movie, but stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for all of the latest news about the future of the franchise.

Last summer, Bad Boys fans celebrated the 30th anniversary of the original film in the series going into production, and the principal reason why the series has lasted as long as it has is because of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The duo's chemistry has been the key ingredient that has let scores of people fall in love with the four movies – and anyone who has seen any of them will not be shocked to learn that the stars are close friends in real life.

Case in point: the new Instagram post from Smith celebrating Lawrence's birthday. Today, the actor arguably best known for playing Detective Marcus Burnett is 60 years old, but his pal has poked fun at him with a behind-the-scenes photo and a caption mocking his friend's milestone age. You can check it out below.

Will Smith is younger than his Bad Boys co-star... but his proximity in age to Martin Lawrence arguably sets up some "glass houses" commentary here. It's true that Smith hasn't hit the big 6-0 yet, but he will be 57 in December – which means he'll be celebrating his sixth decade of existence the same calendar year that we see the release of Sam Mendes' recently announced four-film Beatles epic.

As for the origins of the photo that Will Smith posted, there are suggestions in the comments section that Martin Lawrence's costume – replete with robes and a long beard – is from a deleted scene from Bad Boys: Ride Or Die (though I can't find any evidence of that personally).

The origin story of the Bad Boys stars first coming together began with Martin Lawrence signing on to the action movie first, and he was put in the unenviable position of trying to get Will Smith to sign on without reading the screenplay first. Smith, who was multiple seasons into his hit series Fresh Prince From Bel Air at that point, was dubious initially, but he let his confidence in Lawrence's talents overwhelm his doubts. The film was a box office smash that has since produced three sequels, it launched Michael Bay's career as a feature film director, and it turned Smith into a big screen star (paving the way for follow-up hits Independence Day and Men In Black).

As for the future of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence being back together as Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, a Bad Boys 5 has not been announced – but it would hardly be a surprise if we got news about it relatively soon (the stars aren't getting any younger!). The two actors went on the record last year prior to the release of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die saying that they have one more movie in them, and Sony Pictures doesn't want to stop the money train. Both 2020's Bad Boys For Life and Bad Bad Boys: Ride Or Die managed to make over $400 million during their big screen box office runs, demonstrating plenty of enthusiasm.

Let's also not forget that Will Smith and Martin Lawrence just have a lot of fun when they work together.

While we wait for news about more Bad Boys movies, fans can enjoy streaming both Bad Boys and Bad Boys 2 by signing up for Peacock, Bad Boys For Life with a Hulu account, and Bad Boys: Ride Or Die with a subscription to Netflix.

The next time you watch a comedy movie, see if you can picture the star engaging in fisticuffs with a criminal and taking down their henchpeople in a shootout. You never know: they could be Hollywood’s next great action hero.

It may seem unlikely until you realize that many of the best action movies and TV shows of all time have been led by or featured pivotal roles played by stand-up comedians or actors who broke through in funny flicks or even classic TV sitcoms. See for yourself by taking a look at some comedically talented actors who beat the odds by becoming action stars.

Will Smith

After initially coming to prominence as a rap artist, Academy Award winner Will Smith proved he had a charismatic onscreen presence as the star of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast in the early 1990s. In 1995, he was cast in director Michael Bay's buddy cop movie, Bad Boys, and, the following year, led Roland Emmerich's action-packed alien invasion flick, Independence Day. There would soon be so much more where those came from.

Cheech Marin

Along with his partner, Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin essentially became the face of stoner comedy, especially after co-leading the classic '70s movie, Up in Smoke. His career would take a turn when he appeared in 1995's Desperado, leading him to become a staple of Robert Rodriguez's movies, and, eventually, began portraying a type of character his roles from the Cheech & Chong movies would try to avoid alongside Don Johnson in the hit cop show, Nash Bridges.

Chris Pratt

By channeling much of the same comedic energy from his scene-stealing breakout role in the Parks and Recreation cast as Andy Dwyer, Chris Pratt helped make 2014's sci-fi odyssey, Guardians of the Galaxy, a light breath of fresh air into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His fun, heartfelt performance as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill also convinced Hollywood he was leading man material, opening the door for him to star in the Jurassic World movies and Amazon Prime's The Terminal List, to name a few.

Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd made his major motion picture debut in the hilarious high school movie classic Clueless before later hit comedies like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Knocked Up made him one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors in the genre. He found the perfect role to become inducted into the MCU in the form of Ant-Man, playing the shrinking superhero with the same everyman quality that made him an A-lister.

Michael Keaton

Because Michael Keaton got his start in stand-up comedy and had been best known for movies like Night Shift and Mr. Mom at the time, comic book fans were up in arms over Tim Burton's decision to cast him in his live-action Batman movies, Batman and Batman Returns. The Oscar nominee has since been regarded as one of the best actors to play the Dark Knight (if not the best) and would even return to superhero movies as one of the best Spider-Man movie villains, Vulture, in 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Nicolas Cage

It is easy to forget that Nicolas Cage started out in comedies like Valley Girl and Peggy Sue Got Married before blowing us away in high-octane thrillers like Con Air, Face/Off, and Gone in 60 Seconds. Then again, it is also easy to tell that the Oscar winner has a comedy background from some of his action movie credits, including the three listed above and his even Cagier roles, like from Mandy and Willy's Wonderland.

Damon Wayans

You may have forgotten he was on Saturday Night Live, but you should surely remember Damon Wayans from his days on the In Living Color cast and from sitcoms like My Wife and Kids. Hopefully, you did not also forget about his roles in '90s crime thrillers The Last Boy Scout (opposite Bruce Willis) and Bulletproof (opposite Adam Sandler) or when he took over as Roger Murtaugh for Fox's series adaptation of Lethal Weapon.

Robert Downey Jr.

After lasting one season on Saturday Night Live, appearing in several '80s teen comedies like Weird Science, and earning his first Oscar nod for playing Charlie Chaplin, Robert Downey Jr.'s career would hit a snag in the early 2000s. Luckily, he would make an inspiring comeback after leading the 2005 noir thriller Kiss Kiss Bang Bang before kicking off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the title role of Iron Man and playing Guy Ritchie's version of Sherlock Holmes.

Eddie Murphy

Many credit Eddie Murphy with single-handedly saving Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, right before making his feature debut alongside Nick Nolte in Walter Hill's 1982 buddy crime thriller, 48 Hrs. Just two years later, the comedian led his own acclaimed action-comedy movie called Beverly Hills Cop, which made him Hollywood's biggest star.

Bruce Willis

In the mid-to-late 1980s, Bruce Willis was best known for playing David Addison on Moonlighting, starring opposite Kim Basinger in Blind Date, and appearing in commercials for Seagram, which is why audiences initially laughed when they saw him as John McClane in the trailer for Die Hard. However, the 1988 action classic would immediately skyrocket the actor to stardom and turn him into a top Hollywood action star, later known for leading thrillers like The Fifth Element, Armageddon, and Sin City.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx's stand-up career led him to join the In Living Color cast and lead his own self-titled sitcom before his Oscar-winning performance in the 2004 music biopic, Ray, and Oscar-nominated performance in Collateral the same year opened wider doors for him. He went on to star in more thrillers like Jarhead, The Kingdom, Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as Electro, and White House Down.

Alan Ritchson

One of Alan Ritchson's first major acting credits was playing doltish college football player Thad Castle on the uproarious sitcom Blue Mountain State before landing a small role in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, doing performance capture for the 2014 and 2017 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, and playing Hank "Hawk" Hall on Titans. The 6'3" actor's defining, star-making turn came when he was cast in the title role of the hit Amazon Prime TV show, Reacher, leading to his casting in Guy Ritchie's The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu landed her breakthrough role on the hit workplace dramedy Ally McBeal as Ling Woo. Soon after, she achieved cinematic stardom in 2000's Charlie's Angels, teamed up with Antonio Banderas in the 2002 spy thriller Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, and was cast as ruthless assassin O-Ren Ishii in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.

Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk wrote for Saturday Night Live for years in the 1980s before co-leading his own acclaimed sketch comedy series with David Cross called Mr. Show, which was his main claim to fame for years. However, he stumbled onto a new career path when he joined the Breaking Bad cast as Saul Goodman, who earned his own prequel spin-off called Better Call Saul, before leading his own action flick called Nobody.

Martin Lawrence

Martin Lawrence led a successful stand-up career that turned into a successful TV career with his hit sitcom, Martin, in between starring in movies like Do the Right Thing and Boomerang. In 1995, he played Det. Marcus Burnett, for the first of multiple times in Bad Boys and even went on to play a cop in a few more overt comedies, namely Blue Streak and Big Momma's House.

Ryan Reynolds

For years, even after starring in more earnest thrillers like Smokin' Aces and Safe House, it seemed like Ryan Reynolds' defining performance would forever be the title role of National Lampoon's Van Wilder, which paved the way for him to star in more raunchy comedies like Waiting... or Just Friends. However, that would change in 2016 when he led Deadpool, which is still very much on the side of silly but is also as action-packed as any other comic book movie.

Sam Richardson

Sam Richardson quickly became a favorite in the comedy landscape for his hilarious performances in shows like I Think You Should Leave, Veep, and Ted Lasso. He would later go on to impress audiences in Amazon Prime's action-packed time travel movie The Tomorrow War opposite Chris Pratt, as the lead of the 2021 horror-comedy movie Werewolves Within, and in Paramount+'s Star Trek: Section 31.

Keanu Reeves

As the star of franchises like the John Wick movies and the Matrix films, in addition to favorites like Speed and Point Break, Keanu Reeves is one of the most prolific action stars in cinema history. Thus, it is sometimes hard to believe that he is the same actor who, excellently, played one-half of the titular duo from the Bill & Ted movies.

John Goodman

John Goodman began rising to prominence on the groundbreaking sitcom Roseanne as Dan Conner (whom he would reprise in the revival series The Conners). However, he has managed to cover just about every genre you can think of throughout his career, including action films like Kong: Skull Island and Atomic Blonde.

Emily Blunt

It might seem like a stretch to call Emily Blunt a comedy star, but she did find her breakthrough film role with a hilarious scene-stealing performance in 2006's The Devil Wears Prada. She would later prove she could play someone with a rougher exterior when she starred opposite Tom Cruise in the thrilling time loop movie, Edge of Tomorrow, and in Denis Villeneuve's stunning Sicario.

Rick Moranis

Rick Moranis is one of the most treasured comedic actors of his time, from his days at SCTV starring alongside Dave Thomas as the McKenzie Brothers (who led their own 1983 movie, Strange Brew), to appearing in films like Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. In the middle of those comedy classics was a role in Walter Hill's dystopian "Rock 'n Roll fable," Streets of Fire.

Bill Burr

Bill Burr used to mock the Star Wars movies in some of his stand-up bits, which gave The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau a funny idea to bring him into the galaxy far, far away. He cast the Massachusetts-born comedian on the series as a mercenary named Migs Mayfield, which Burr has since recognized as one of the highlights of his career.

John Leguizamo

Despite getting his start as a stand-up comedian, many of John Leguizamo's earliest acting roles have actually been in action movies, including Die Hard 2 and Executive Decision. In addition to more humorous credits, like To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar and the Ice Age movies, more thrillers would come his way, such as the John Wick movies and Violent Night.

Owen Wilson

Owen Wilson may be closely associated with comedies like Bottle Rocket, Meet the Parents, and Zoolander, but the actor has diversified his talents over various styles. He has even tried his hand at the action genre a few times, most notably in Behind Enemy Lines, No Escape, and Disney+'s MCU-canon series, Loki

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks' first major show business breakthrough was a sitcom called Bosom Buddies, which led to roles in comedy films like Bachelor Party and Turner & Hooch. It was his Oscar-winning roles in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump that opened the door for him to star in intense dramas like the acclaimed war movie Saving Private Ryan and the sci-fi epic Cloud Atlas.

Val Kilmer

Some of Val Kilmer's most iconic roles include Iceman in Top Gun, Doc Holliday in the Western movie classic Tombstone, and the title role of Batman Forever. However, his breakthrough films were the ridiculous spy parody, Top Secret!, and the college comedy, Real Genius, in the early-to-mid 1980s.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis rose to fame as Jackie Burkhart in the That '70s Show cast and as the voice of Meg on Family Guy before acquiring A-list fame. Her action movie credits, namely the video game movie adaptation Max Payne and the Wachowski's ambitious sci-fi adventure, Jupiter Ascending, have not been her most esteemed efforts, but we will still count them.

Randall Park

Randall Park is best known for leading the sitcom Fresh off the Boat, his hilarious cameo on The Office as "Asian Jim Halpert," and for hit comedy movies like The Interview and Neighbors. He has also become a staple of the comic book movie genre with his role in the MCU as Agent Jimmy Woo and as Dr. Shin in the Aquaman movies.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf started making a name for himself when he was a teen as Louis on the Disney Channel original comedy series, Even Stevens. He went on to make a Hollywood breakthrough in the Transformers movies, which led to his roles in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and, eventually, David Ayer's 2014 war drama, Fury.

Malin Akerman

Before she became the first actor to play Silk Spectre II in live-action in 2009's Watchmen, Malin Akerman rose to fame in comedy movies like 2007's The Heartbreak Kid and shows like Children's Hospital.

Jim Belushi

Just like his late older brother, John, Jim Belushi broke out on Saturday Night Live. Unlike John, Jim achieved a brief career in action movies, such as Red Heat with Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Principal, and Oliver Stone's Salvador.

Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine was already an Oscar-winning movie star when he was cast as the lead of the hit sitcom, McHale's Navy. Eventually, he would appear in more earnest action-oriented titles, such as a made-for-TV adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front, John Carpenter's Escape from New York, and 2010's RED.

Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence are among the funniest actors in Hollywood who have made a ton of successful comedies and great action movies over the years. Both of them got their start in the ‘80s, and they have been in movies together like 1992’s Boomerang and 1999’s Life. Their latest collaboration? Their kids are getting married to each other, and they're about to be in-laws. So, of course, people have all the questions about how the wedding will play out and which dad will give the toast.

We know already that Eddie Murphy has asked Martin Lawrence to pay for the wedding since it's customary for the father of the bride to shell out the cash, and Murphy literally has ten kids (six of which are daughters). However, what about the wedding toasts? Here’s what Lawrence had to say about it:

When Martin Lawrence stopped in on the Sherri show, he was asked about how the toasts might go considering both the fathers are so funny. Martin Lawrence said he would likely give the job to Eddie Murphy, not only because he treasures his funny bone, but for another totally understandable reason. In his words:

Twenty-nine-year-old Jasmin Lawrence is Martin Lawrence’s eldest daughter and the first one to get married. The Bad Boys actor also has two younger daughters, 24-year-old Iyanna and 22-year-old Amara. He figures he’ll be very emotional on Jasmin’s wedding day, and it’s a totally fair estimate.

Eddie Murphy on the other hand has already experienced giving his daughters away at weddings before, so perhaps he’ll be more emotionally prepared to give a fun speech to the guests. Hopefully, both Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy will do a bit together during the reception, because that’s what I imagine the guests are all hoping for anyway!

Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence made it public that they were dating on social media in 2021. Eddie Murphy’s son proposed to Jasmin in November 2024. You can check out their post on the occasion below:

When Lawrence was asked about how he’s responded to his daughter dating Eric Murphy, the comedy actor shared that Eric Murphy is “a lot like his father” when it comes to his calm temperament and he's “a cool young man.” So he hasn’t had to lay down the law in any way. Eddie Murphy has previously commented on expecting their child to be “funny” should they ever have kids.

We’re of course so excited to hear how the wedding goes once it happens, and if the two dads will get into some fun comedy mischief at the event.

Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have been two of the funniest actors and comedians in the business since they both got their start in big ways in the '80s. The pair even worked together on some hilarious films like 1992’s Boomerang and 1999’s Life. Now their latest project is soon becoming in-laws (even though they have an idea for a movie as well)! That’s right, Lawrence’s daughter Jasmin and Murphy’s son Eric are set to tie the knot, and Lawrence has revealed who’s fitting the bill.

Last week, Jasmin Lawrence and Eric Murphy shared they are engaged after three years as a couple. Amidst the news, Martin Lawrence said this when asked which one of them would be paying for the wedding:

Lawrence revealed he’d be the one paying for his daughter’s wedding while on Big Boy’s Neighborhood. You can check out the clip from the interview below:

Now, if you didn’t know, Eddie Murphy has ten children of his own, half of whom are daughters. We know that his daughter Bria got married in 2022, and his son Myles tied the knot as well last September. Lawrence, on the other hand, has three daughters. As Lawrence said, since Murphy has already paid for multiple weddings for his children, he suggested Lawrence take this one, and the Bad Boys actor doesn’t look mad about it. And hey, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die was one of the highest-grossing 2024 movies, so we imagine he can afford it.

When Martin Lawrence and Will Smith’s latest Bad Boys movie came out early this summer, it had a great domestic opening weekend of $56 million before the movie later made a total of $404 million worldwide and the franchise crossed the $1 billion mark. We don’t know how much Lawrence made off the hit movie, but we assume he’s doing ok. Eddie Murphy also had Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F hit Netflix to positive buzz from critics, but we don’t imagine that was as lucrative.

Funny enough, Martin Lawrence wanted Eddie Murphy for Bad Boys when the original was being made, but the actor apparently “cost too much” and Will Smith ended up being his partner in crime. It all worked out, of course, and now Murphy and Lawrence are certainly set to be tied in an even deeper way as family members. Congratulations to the happy couple along with Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy for their kids finding love!

Following the news of the death of James Earl Jones in September, many fellow actors who worked with the icon have shared their memories with him. The latest comes from Martin Lawrence, who worked with Jones in the 2008 comedy Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. While remembering the actor best known for lending his voice to Darth Vader and Mufasa, he recalled how much of a pro James Earl Jones was.

Jones died at the age of 93 on September 9 after contributing his talents to tons of beloved movies and TV shows dating back to the 1950s. When Martin Lawrence was asked about working with Jones, who played his father in the family comedy, here’s what he recalled:

The actor died at the age of 93 nearly two months ago after an impressive legacy that will be remembered for eons to come. As Martin Lawrence remembered his time working alongside the legend, he absolutely had some pro moves at his disposal when it came to a key emotional scene the movie had. While Lawrence was trying his absolute hardest to provide what the scene called for, James Earl Jones could “just drop a tear” on the spot. Lawrence was impressed, but unable to get on his level.

Martin Lawrence told the story while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He also had this to say about the recent passing:

Not every actor can say they had the chance to work with James Earl Jones in their career, but Martin Lawrence sounds absolutely grateful to be among the people with whom he shared the screen. Other actors who have paid tribute to Jones since his death have been Star Wars’ Mark Hamill who said “RIP dad” in his goodbye post.

His Field Of Dreams co-star Kevin Costner said he was “grateful to have been a witness” to the “kind of magic” the actor brought to screen. Arsenio Hall also recently shared that James Earl Jones’ “wisdom” fueled him in the Coming To America movies, and he was “never taken for granted.” The Sandlot’s young lead Patrick Renna also has shared a sweet Star Wars story from the baseball movie while Jones was on set.

It’s lovely to hear these stories about James Earl Jones following his death, and Lawrence’s shows his fun personality. If you’re curious about watching James Earl Jones and Martin Lawrence’s movie, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is now streaming with a Hulu subscription.

When it came to Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Martin Lawrence brought his usual charm and humor to the role of Marcus Burnett. However, the veteran comedian was also called upon to help add some fresh ingredients to Marcus’ characterization. That included a wild wedding stunt that Will Smith posted about on social media recently. Since then, Lawrence himself has now spoken about performing that major on-set feat, and I have to say that I love the Big Momma’s House star’s take even more than I enjoy the video of him filming the impressive stunt.

The Martin Lawrence Stunt Will Smith Posted About On Social Media

The latest addition to the series of Bad Boys movies (which we’ve ranked) kicks off with a wedding, as Mike ties the knot with the newly introduced Christine. Mike’s best man, the emotional Marcus, gives a hilariously sweet toast to his buddy and his bride. From there, Marcus begins to party hard and, while tearing it up on the dance floor, suffers a mild heart attack – which leads to a near-death experience. That latter portion is visualized as Marcus falling into an ocean before entering the “other side,” where he meets his late boss, Captain Howard.

As revealed by Will Smith on Instagram, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah achieved the falling sequence by strapping Martin Lawrence to a tilting contraption. It’s a cool behind-the-scenes clip that you can check out below:

One might be tempted to assume that the Martin star would feel a way about having to be locked in and perform such a stunt. However, you may be surprised to hear his true feelings on the matter.

How Martin Lawrence Felt About Performing The Stunt For Ride Or Die

The Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins star recently appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he discussed the success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die. It was during the interview that the eponymous host showed off the same clip Will Smith shared. Martin Lawrence then revealed that he ultimately shot that sequence “about seven” times. For some, the sheer notion of having to do that several times might be daunting. Funny enough, though, Lawrence explained that he enjoyed it and laughed off any notion that he didn’t:

The 59-year-old actor is a true champ, and what I appreciate even more is another brief comment he made in the YouTube clip. Jimmy Kimmel mentioned that earlier this year, he spoke with Eddie Murphy, who spoke about performing stunts for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. The host asked the Wild Hogs star if he experienced moments on the Ride or Die set in which he opted not to perform a requested stunt, and he said he didn’t have any situations like that crop up. Sure, he’s getting paid millions of dollars to do the work, but I still appreciate the beloved funnyman’s commitment, especially at his age.

Some are probably wondering whether Bad Boys 5 will happen. Will Smith spoke on the possibility of doing a fifth film with Martin Lawrence, though he’s seemingly of the thinking that there needs to be a good reason to do another one, which makes sense. If there is a fifth movie, I’m not sure if the director(s) would have Lawrence perform a stunt like the one from the wedding scene. However, based on his delightful thoughts on taking part in such a scene, I think he’d be down for more.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is now available on digital platforms and is available to own on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. Also, check out the 2024 movie schedule for info on films that are now playing in theaters or will be heading to cinemas.

A lot has changed within the Bad Boys movies (which we’ve ranked) since the action/comedy saga began back in the ‘90s. And I’m not necessarily just talking about the developments that have played out on screen. The series’ two lead actors, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, have seen evolutions with their careers since that 1995 flick hit theaters. Fellow franchise OG Joe Pantoliano explained how he’s witnessed the changes that have taken place across all four movies and, quite frankly, his perspective really shows just how Hollywood works.

Joe Pantoliano has the rare distinction of not only having been able to work with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence on four major productions but also collaborating with them on a single film property. The Matrix alum seems to work quite well with his co-stars, though one must also make mention of the fact that they’ve become much more than his scene partners. While speaking with Vanity Fair, Pantoliano discussed the progression of his working relationship with Lawrence and Smith and the specific dynamics that have changed over the past several decades: 

Fans should remember that the two leads of this franchise weren’t the massive Hollywood stars that they are today. Years ago, they were on the rise, attempting to parlay their success with the TV sitcoms The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Martin into film careers. They ultimately proved to be successful, as the first Bad Boys movie took them to new professional heights. Since then, both have moved into the producing space, which is why either one or both of them held the aforementioned duties on For Life and the recently released Ride or Die.

The comments that Joe Pantoliano shared truly speak to how an actor’s professional standing in Hollywood can change over time after finding success. A number of stars have been in that position, from Denzel Washington and Reese Witherspoon to Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. It has indeed been interesting to watch Martin Lawrence and Will Smith’s careers evolve, and it’s hard not to be happy for the success they’ve achieved. And, as far as their signature buddy cop franchise goes, they’ve definitely been helping to stir it in the right direction. Of course, they haven’t done that alone in front of or behind the camera. Joe Pantoliano, during his interview, spoke to the creative impact of another certain big-name producer: 

Jerry Bruckheimer, Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and co. keep finding ways to surprise audiences and keep them invested in this franchise. For instance, I was genuinely surprised when the Bad Boys: Ride or Die trailer revealed that Joe Pantoliano’s Captain Howard would reappear following his death in 2020’s For Life. That continued popularity is why some may be wondering if another installment is on the way. Will Smith discussed a fifth film just recently, saying that he’s open to it if there’s a story worth telling. Of course, considering how busy Smith and Lawrence are in Hollywood right now, making the scheduling work could be easier said than done. Though I’m sure the actors/producers would make time for it and, if they do, I hope they can somehow bring Pantliano back for the ride as well.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die, one of the biggest titles on the 2024 movie schedule, is still playing in theaters now. You can also stream For Life if you have access to an active Hulu subscription.

Spoilers for Bad Boys: Ride or Die lie ahead, so proceed with caution.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s recently released Bad Boys: Ride or Die has made waves since it hit theaters over a month ago. Not only has it seen hit at the box office, but the film has also received mostly positive reviews from critics. As much as I enjoyed the movie, what I’ve arguably loved more are the behind-the-scenes tidbits that the two lead actors have been sharing. Smith, in particular, has dropped a couple of sweet nuggets. His most recent share really takes the cake, though, as it shows how a “crazy” scene with Lawrence was shot – and I just can’t stop watching the video.

In the latest of the Bad Boys movies (which we’ve ranked), Martin Lawrence’s Marcus Burnett has a near-death experience. The ordeal happens during the wedding of his main man, Mike Lowery and causes him to meet up with the late Captain Howard in the afterlife. Part of that scene is depicted by a wild shot which shows Marcus shifted from the wedding and through an ocean, before making his way to the other side to see Howard. Anyone wondering exactly how the first part of that sequence was filmed need only to look at Will Smith’s recent Instagram post. Check it out:

One can definitely understand why the Big Momma’s House veteran would’ve “hated” being hooked onto that contraption for the big scene. I’m honestly not sure how I would’ve felt being suspended in such a position. But I suppose that, at the very least, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah were able to get the shot as needed. That particular moment also looked good on camera, so the Martin star’s efforts certainly paid off.

As crazy as the scene was to see on the big screen, it actually served a purpose in the mostly well reviewed Ride or Die. Marcus’ brush with death encourages him to take on a somewhat more carefree (if not reckless) demeanor. Without going deep into spoiler territory, his run-in with Captain Howard factors into the third act of the film. This subplot, as a whole, was not only interesting, but it was also a way to keep the narrative fresh, especially as Marcus was concerned.

Those who haven’t been following Will Smith on social media might want to if they’re looking for sweet behind-the-scenes content related to Bad Boys. Weeks ago, he shared a clip from a gun fight sequence, which showed the awesome way that the camera captures the actor’s first-person perspectives. Smith also dropped a funny piece of footage, through which he took a playful jab at the infamous 360 Bayhem shot. As a fan of the franchise and filmmaking in general, this is the kind of content I live for, and I’m glad the Oscar winner is sharing it.

Given the box office success of Ride or Die, some may be wondering if another installment might be on the way. Nothing is set in stone just yet, though, Will Smith is open to a fifth film, if there’s a story worth telling. I, for one, would love to see him and Martin Lawrence team up again for another hilarious and action-packed chapter in this saga. And, that way, fans could not only get another fun flick but even more cool BTS clips from Smith and co. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to watch this clip from the wedding scene a few more times.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die, a major title on the 2024 movie schedule, is still playing in theaters. Fans can also check out the latest installment, Bad Boys for Life, using a Hulu subscription.

Recent years have been fairly kind to Martin Lawrence fans, as the actor returned to the Bad Boys franchise opposite Will Smith for both 2020’s Bad Boys for Life and 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and took part in the Martin streaming reunion special on BET in the meantime. Now, it looks like interest in the ‘90s sitcom universe has only gained momentum, and a brand new project is in the works that will take a page out of Smith’s Bel-Air playbook by tackling the material with a far more dramatic approach.

That’s right, this won’t be quite the return to form that viewers may have been hoping for after the reunion sparked renewed interest in a revival, which Tisha Campbell addressed somewhat positively back in 2022. But rather than another multi-camera project or even a single camera comedy without a studio audience, Lawrence’s production shingle RunTelDat is teaming with WonderHill Studios for an hour-long origin story that’s currently being called Young Martin.

According to Deadline, the new story will follow Martin Payne during his early years as a charming and presumably mouthy teenager making the transition into adulthood. But rather than going a similar route as Everybody Hates Chris by making it a period comedy, Young Martin won’t be aiming to match up with the exact timeline of the ‘90s sitcom, and will be set in present-day Detroit.

This version of Martin will be a positive-minded, boisterous and empathetic character who loves making his friends and family members laugh. All manner of personal relationships will be explored, with the teen toeing the emotionally fraught line between being a young adult and that next step of the ladder. Understandably, Martin’s large personality and attitude get him into some stressful and hindering situations as he strives for success.

It’s not entirely clear if Martin will be aiming for a radio host career in the new show to match up with the character’s profession in the sitcom. As well, it’s unclear how many of the already established characters will be reimagined for this new project, and which ones we can expect to see. (I’m personally holding out for Tisha Campbell to join the show as Gina’s mom or something winky-winky along those lines.)

To that end, Martin Lawrence will serve as an executive producer on Young Martin, but it’s unknown whether or not he will have more creative input as the project comes together. It’s presumed he won’t be back in a starring capacity, but we’re still at the “anything is possible” stage.

It’s kind of wild how similar the stories have been for Will Smith’s Fresh Prince and Lawrence’s Martin. For instance, both sitcoms’ male leads feuded with female co-stars (Smith with Janet Hubert and Lawrence with Tisha Campbell), and both buried the respective hatchets in connection with high-profile streaming reunion specials. The Fresh Prince reunion aired on Max back in 2020, while Martin’s was a BET+ exclusive in 2022.

And the Young Martin news comes as Bel-Air is gearing up for its Season 3 premiere in August, proving that even though many fans questioned the existence of a dramatized version of Carlton and the rest of the Banks family, enough of them are tuning in to convince Peacock to keep the show going. I’m curious to learn whether this new project came from conversations Lawrence and Smith had while filming the fourth Bad Boys film, or if it’s something that the stand-up comedian already had in mind for the Fox hit. We know Smith heard Fresh Prince reboot ideas for years before Morgan Cooper’s proof-of-concept video sold the actor on a dramatic spin.

Where could Young Martin end up, even? No potential small screen homes were mentioned in the report, so it’s unclear whether Fox would throw down with Martin Lawrence again, or if it will, like Bel-Air, one day be available to stream with a Peacock subscription. Whichever way it goes, let’s just hope the producers cast someone with the best “Whaazzzuupp?!?” imaginable.

One of the most iconic Black detectives in pop culture history is also one of Eddie Murphy’s funniest characters, Axel Foley, whom he's reprised in the 2024 Netflix movie, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. To celebrate Axel’s latest return to 90210, let’s take a look back at more of our favorite Black detectives from movies and TV shows, starting with the man of hour.

Axel Foley (Beverly Hills Cop)

The original Beverly Hills Cop from 1984 and its sequels are some of the funniest Eddie Murphy movies ever, particularly for Axel Foley’s blistering wit. Yet, he is also the right kind of detective you would want on your side for his commitment to getting the job done, even if he has to break a few rules along the way.

Virgil Tibbs (In The Heat Of The Night)

In 1967, trailblazing Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier gave one of his most inspiring performances in the Best Picture Oscar winner, In the Heat of the Night, as Virgil Tibbs, who falls prey to racial prejudice when he is wrongfully accused of a murder while visiting his mother in a small Mississippi town. However, the Philadelphia cop’s arrival proves to be a godsend, as Chief Bill Gillespie (Rod Steiger) would have never solved the crime without the expert investigation skills and resilience of the one they call “Mister Tibbs.”

John Luther (Luther)

The title character of the long-running British crime drama, Luther, could be called the Sherlock Holmes of his time, in the sense that his unusual methods of investigation and alienating personality traits often rub his colleagues the wrong way and even put him in legal trouble. Audiences, however, cannot get enough of the Detective Chief Inspector — who returned for Netflix’s feature-length spin-off, Luther: The Fallen Sun — his brilliant criminal perception and the charming Idris Elba’s captivating, Golden Globe-winning performance.

John Shaft (Shaft)

The crown jewel of Richard Roundtree’s best movies is Shaft — the story of a suave, streetwise detective from New York City. The Oscar-winning 1971 classic and its sequels made this bad mother— “shut yo mouth” — the undisputed king of the Blaxploitation era.

Mike Lowery And Marcus Burnett (Bad Boys)

As the title — borrowed from Inner Circle’s 1987 reggae hit — suggests, Mike Lowery (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) from director Michael Bay’s directorial debut, Bad Boys, are not ones to be messed with. What really makes the 1995 buddy cop movie favorite and its sequels such a fun time is the two detectives’ unbreakable bond, both on and off duty.

Faith Mitchell (Will Trent)

When GBI Special Agents Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) and Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson) were forced to work together, they could not stand each other, with Faith being especially ticked off by his uptight attitude and connection to her own mother’s stunted law enforcement career. However, the title hero of ABC’s fun detective drama came to respect and admire his partner — a single mother to a college student with a big heart, a strong intuition, and a powerful kick — just as she warmed to him for his keen eye for evidence.

Ricardo Tubbs (Miami Vice)

One of the most dynamic duos in the history of TV cop dramas is that of Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs (Philip Michael Thomas) and James “Sonny” Crockett (Don Johnson) on one of the best mystery TV shows of the ‘80s, Miami Vice. Between the two, Tubbs was the one whom audiences would hope to identify with the most, being the more laid back undercover detective.

Alex Cross (Kiss The Girls)

As a forensic psychologist, Dr. Alex Cross knows how to get into the mind of the most disturbing criminals in Washington D.C., which often comes in handy during the many times the perpetrators make his cases a personal matter. Author James Patterson’s flagship character was first brought to life on screen by Morgan Freeman in 1997’s Kiss the Girls and again in Along Came a Spider four years later, before Tyler Perry took over the role in Alex Cross in 2012.

William Somerset (Se7en)

Two years before he became the (first) face of Alex Cross, Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman was cast in David Fincher’s breakthrough masterpiece, Se7en, as William Somerset — a veteran detective showing the younger David Mills (Brad Pitt) the ropes while working on what is meant to be his last case. However, despite how much the increasingly unsettling investigation tears him up inside, Somerset apparently decides to stay on the force by the end, based on his agreement with the second half of Ernest Hemingway’s belief that “the world is a fine place and worth fighting for.”

Misty Knight (Luke Cage)

One of the most influential comic book characters with a disability is Mercedes “Misty” Knight, who became equipped with a bionic right arm after losing it in an attempt to defuse a bomb. The brave, intuitive, hard-fighting New York detective was portrayed wonderfully on Luke Cage by Simone Missick.

Easy Rawlins (Devil In A Blue Dress)

One of the few and most esteemed Black characters in old-fashioned noir fiction is Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins — first introduced in Walter Mosley’s 1990 novel, Devil in a Blue Dress. In the book’s 1995 adaptation, Academy Award winner Denzel Washington portrayed the World War II veteran who falls into the world of private investigation when his street smart intellect gets him enlisted to find a politician’s missing lover.

Roger Murtaugh (Lethal Weapon)

We wish we had a nickel for every time Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) proclaimed he was “getting too old for this shit” in one of the all-time greatest action movies, 1987’s Lethal Weapon, and its sequels. However, despite his age and no matter how uproarious his cases with his loose-canon partner, Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson), would get, the L.A. cop continued to fight.

Neal Washington (Hill Street Blues)

One of the best cop dramas of its time, if not all time, is Hill Street Blues, which boasted a diverse cast of characters, including standout Neal Washington (Emmy nominee Taurean Blacque). Known for his trademark toothpick and cap, the undercover veteran officer was a stern individual, but with a track record that earned him much respect and admiration from his peers.

Cleopatra Jones (Cleopatra Jones)

While the aforementioned John Shaft was the King of Blaxploitation, its queen would have to be… well, Pam Grier, who never actually played a cop in any of her most iconic roles from the era. However, when it came to ass-kicking Black females in official law enforcement positions in the 1970s, no one was better and badder than the title character of Cleopatra Jones — an undercover government agent played by Tamara Dobson in the 1973 hit and its 1975 sequel, Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold.

Ron Stallworth (BlacKkKlansman)

In the early 1970s, Ron Stallworth became the first Black cadet at the Colorado Springs police department before going on to lead a secret operation to infiltrate the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. He later chronicled this previously classified operation in his memoir, which was adapted into director Spike Lee’s Oscar-winning film, BlacKkKlansman, in which Stallworth was portrayed by John David Washington.

These are only some of our favorite examples of Black detectives in pop culture. Follow the clues and seek more of them out!

Though it wasn’t the best Bad Boys movie, Ride or Die has been a hit with critics and one of the first big wins of the summer box office, so it shouldn’t be all that surprising that fans are already asking when we’ll see Will Smith and Martin Lawrence again, after diving into one of the biggest releases on the 2024 movie schedule. The fourth entry initially sounded like the end of the franchise, but it now seems like a case of when instead of if we’ll see Bad Boys 5.

That said, we’ve scoured through countless interviews, news stories, and other comments to figure out what’s going on with the franchise and what’s been said about Bad Boys 5 so far. This is an extremely fluid situation, so make sure to keep checking back as we learn more about when we’ll see Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett tear it up once again. 

Before The Release Of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, Martin Lawrence Said He'd Carry On As Long As His 'Brother Carries On'

In the leadup to Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s release, Martin Lawrence sat down for an interview with Empire Magazine where he talked not only about the fourth entry in the franchise but also the future and if he plans on stopping. In the chat, the star, who really went for it with Ride or Die, had this to say about a fifth movie:

It would be hard to imagine Lawrence making another Bad Boys movie without Will Smith, even though the actor originally wanted Eddie Murphy as his co-star way back when. That said, hopefully, the powers that be will come up with a good reason to bring them back. Speaking of which…

In June 2024, Will Smith Said He'd Make Bad Boys 5 'As Long As There's A Reason' 

Though the Bad Boys movies are viewed by some as pointless buddy action movies filled with ridiculous “Bayhem” 360-degree shots, chase sequences, and comedy that you either love or hate, each of the movies has had some kind of reason for being made. If the franchise continues, Smith said that needs to once again be the case, as he told EW in June 2024:

Having a reason to make a fifth movie is important to Smith, and for good reason. But, that isn’t the only thing he and his longtime co-star need to keep the franchise going.

At The Same Time, Martin Lawrence Is Down For A Fifth Movie If 'The Demand Is There'

Anyone who’s watched Bad Boys: Ride or Die in theaters knows that it’s a wild experience, one that has a lot for diehard fans of the franchise. It’s those fans, and their love of the movies, that would make Lawrence down to return for a fifth movie, as he told EW in the same June 2024 chat:

With Ride or Die hitting all kinds of box office milestones through its run so far, it’s clear as the eye can see that this franchise is as popular as ever and the demand is, in fact, still there.

Jerry Bruckheimer Has Said That Discussions For Bad Boys 5 Have Happened But Wants To See How Ride Or Die Performs

Jerry Bruckheimer has been a major player in the Bad Boys franchise since the very beginning, back when two SNL stars were attached to play the leads, so it’s safe to say he knows much more than your average person when it comes to the fifth movie. When speaking with Deadline in June 2024, the legendary Hollywood producer made it seem like there were ongoing conversations about Bad Boys 5, saying:

As of late June 2024, Bad Boys: Ride or Die has made close to $300 million worldwide, per BoxOfficeMojo, which should be a sign that audiences still care about the franchise and want more. But, what about directors Adil and Bilall?

After Bad Boys: Ride Or Die's Release, Directors Adil And Bilall Revealed They'd Like A Fifth Film To Go 'International'

Outside of going to Cuba in Bad Boys II or the swamps and waterways of Florida throughout the franchise, Mike and Marcus have largely stayed within the city of Miami over the years. But if Bad Boys 5 does happen, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have stated they’d like to take things “international,” as Fallah put it when speaking with Variety:

Watching Marcus freak out on an international flight or in Paris could be hilarious and lead to some insane moments. The same can be said for Mike and his killer heroics and skills behind the wheel (and gun).

The Directors Have Also Expressed An Interest In Making A Bad Boys Spinoff 

There has been talk of a Bad Boys spinoff involving Reggie McDonald (Dennis Greene), especially after Marcus Burnett’s son-in-law stole the show with one of the wildest scenes in Ride or Die. If you thought Will Smith sharing a fan-made movie poster with the silent assassin, was just some kind of joke, comments made by co-director Adil El Arbi in the aforementioned Variety interview about a movie involving Reggie and Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio) may change your tune:

The pairing of these two undeniably badass characters could lead to some great movie moments, especially for those in the Justice for Reggie camp. Sure, it would have to have a different dynamic than the Mike/Marcus pairing, but it'd be fun nonetheless.

The conversation surrounding Bad Boys 5 is one that probably won’t go away anytime soon, so make sure to check back as we learn more about the next sequel to one of the best ‘90s action movies.

Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have a lot in common. They’re both hilarious comedians and dominated ‘90s films centered on Black characters, and their kids are dating each other. While there’s been no mention of wedding bells or pregnancy just yet, the Dr. Dolittle actor jokes about expecting the young couple’s future child “to be funny.”

28-year-old Jasmin Lawrence and 34-year-old Eric Murphy first went public as a couple when they shared a cute selfie on Instagram in June 2021. Lawrence shared that she met her boyfriend not through their famous dads, but through her uncle, which started as a friendship and grew from there. While on CBS Mornings, Eddie Murphy humorously told Gayle King what he expects from their potential future child, and I feel like it’s inevitable:

I'd like to think the sense of humor gene would pass onto Jasmin Lawrence and Eric Murphy’s potential future child. The baby will have two funny grandparents and hopefully will inherit one of their funny bones. While Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy’s kids have a shared history together, the same can be said for the two dads. Lawrence and Murphy both starred in the ‘90s comedies Life and Boomerang.

The two stars almost starred together in Bad Boys, but the Big Momma’s House actor joked that the Shrek actor “costs too much.” He might have a point there considering Murphy's best movies, including Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, and Coming to America, made Murphy one of the biggest box office stars of the '80s and '90s. But, Lawrence knew Will Smith would be the right pick for Bad Boys for the chance to see two sitcom stars share the big screen. Hopefully that classic remake film dream Murphy wants with Lawrence for It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World will become a reality one day.

Just when you thought Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence couldn’t be more closer, their kids decide to have a serious relationship with each other that will bring the two families closer together. Murphy revealed to Gayle King how he and his pal felt when he heard their kids were dating:

It's great to know the two parents are cool with their kids dating. After all, it would give Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence the opportunity to spend more time together in family outings and future projects. Of course, the two comedians give hilarious takes on who will pay for their kids’ possible wedding. While Murphy joked around with the assumption that his Boomerang co-star will absolutely be paying for the wedding, I’m really curious who will be the lucky father to take on that financial role. You can watch the rest of the box office star’s interview below:

If a future pregnancy were to happen between Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence’s kids, The Nutty Professor actor is expecting to have a funny grandchild. With him and Lawrence having a long history of bringing out laughter in an audience, I’d like to believe their grandchild will share that gene too. Make sure to watch Murphy’s new movie, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, with your Netflix subscription.

In the history of cinema, there have been plenty of famous duos and, when discussing them, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence should absolutely be in the conversation. The on-screen chemistry between the two actors has been highlighted for decades via the Bad Boys movies (which we’ve ranked). Of course, aside from being great scene partners, they’re even better friends in real life. That’s evidenced by the amount of love they show each other from time to time. Smith recently shouted out Lawrence by posting a video tribute, and it’s just as sweet as you’d imagine. 

Will Smith has been sharing a lot of cool behind-the-scenes posts amid the release of Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Among his posts are clips of cool gun fights as well as a playful jab at the 360 Bayhem shot. More recently, Smith took to his Instagram to share a compilation of sweet BTS moments shared between him and Martin Lawrence across the various films. The footage shows the two palling around in between shooting, and it’s a sweet sight to behold. Check it out for yourself: 

The aspect of this post that’s particularly sweet is the Oscar winner’s caption, which begins with him declaring, “I have so much fun with this dude.” Based on the memories shared in his post, that definitely seems to be the case. It’s honestly no wonder that the two have such great chemistry in the films, given how well they seem to get along in real life. If you ask me, I’d say that these two have a certified bromance, and you love to see it. There’s nothing quite like having a good friend that knows you well and can bring out the best in you. 

As previously alluded to this is far from the first time that one of these beloved actors has paid tribute to the other. It was in late 2022 that Will Smith penned an emotional tribute to Martin Lawrence and shared sweet footage of the both of them. The following April, Smith highlighted their decades of friendship again on Lawrence’s birthday. And, just days later, Lawrence shouted out “Big Willie” during his own Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremony. Seriously, if these two aren’t friendship goals, then I don't know what they are. 

What’s also been interesting to see over the years is not only how the actors’ personal relationship has developed but how their characters' connection has as well. Martin Lawrence’s Marcus Burnett and Will Smith’s Mike Lowery have certainly been through their fair share of ups and downs. Each movie also puts a new wrinkle in their friendship that ultimately deepens it. For example, 2003’s Bad Boys 2 created a little bit of friction between the two by having Mike secretly date his partner’s sister. Ride or Die changes up the dynamic as well, as Marcus’ near-death experience and subsequent fearless attitude cause headaches for Mike. I honestly don’t know what I enjoy watching more: the bond between the characters or the one that exists between the stars that play him. 

Given how beloved the saga’s titular heroes and the fact that the two lead actors are still so close, one has to wonder if another installment in the series might be made at some point. The I Am Legend star recently addressed the notion of doing a fifth movie with his longtime buddy and, while he doesn’t seem opposed to it, he does believe there needs to be a story worth telling. It wouldn’t be surprising if one comes together, given how Ride or Die was a box office win for summer 2024. 

There’s, of course, always the possibility that another movie in the Bad Boys saga might not be made. Such a notion is sad, but that could happen. Even if that’s the case though, I’d imagine that Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will remain close regardless. Here’s to many more years of friendship for the hilarious pair, and here’s hoping that they continue to pay such sweet tribute to each other. 

You can see the two action stars in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which is still playing in theaters, and you can stream the first three movies using a Hulu subscription. And, for more information on upcoming flicks, be sure to check out the 2024 movie schedule.

It’s always nice to see which Hollywood celebrities stay friends after their projects together wrap. Now, Life's Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have to be one of my new favorite duos like this after hearing about this ongoing inside joke about who is paying for their kids’ wedding.

The duo reunited at the premiere of Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and it was a whole family affair. Also pictured on the red carpet were the two Life actors' children, Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence, who have been dating since 2021.

The fourth installment in the franchise that includes some of Murphy's best movies will be released on Netflix's movie schedule on July 3rd. In the same genre, Lawrence’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which recently premiered on the 2024 movie schedule, has grossed almost $300 million at box offices worldwide. So when the Coming to America star was asked by ET who would be paying for the potential wedding bill, he had an answer ready:

This is not the first time the two dads have joked about who’s footing the bill. And although it was Lawrence who started the bit on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2022, the Shrek star has been the one to keep the back-and-forth joke alive. Recently, for example, he told his fellow actor on Etalk: "Don't try to change no shit, do no Hollywood switch," after noting that he paid for his daughter's wedding recently.

A wedding with both Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence in it would have to be one of the best weddings ever, and what I wouldn’t give to get an invite. Their entire toasts would just be a double-feature stand-up set. Think Murphy in You People, but 10 times funnier with the Bad Boys actor by his side.

Luckily, we might not have to wait for the pending nuptials to see these two work their comedic magic together again. Eddie Murphy has talked about doing a remake of It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World with Martin Lawrence, and he plans to get a whole cast of comedians together.

If this ongoing bit on their kids’ marriage has taught me anything, it’s that this movie needs to be greenlit since we were robbed of this duo in Bad Boys. Their chemistry and friendship is equal parts hilarious and wholesome, and I need to see more of it. But until that time, you can enjoy some classic Murphy comedy by streaming Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on July 3rd with a Netflix subscription.

Over the course of his illustrious career, Eddie Murphy has been privileged to work with a number of the funniest stars to ever grace the silver screen. Richard Pryor, Redd Foxx, Steve Martin and Chris Rock are just a few of the notable names on that list. Of course, he’s also shared the screen with Martin Lawerence, who can more than hold his own alongside Murphy. The two A-listers have become close friends over the past several years, so it’s no surprise that Murphy is planning to reunite with him for another collaboration. The project just happens to be a remake of a classic film, and I’d be so down to see the movie. 

Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy – whose children are engaged to be married – reunited at the red carpet premiere of the former’s latest film, the upcoming Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. During the event, Murphy caught with ET, during which he discussed his professional and personal relationships with Lawrence. The beloved Axel Foley actor also revealed that he’s been working on an update of a classic comedy flick that he wants Lawrence to be a part of. Chances are cinephiles are familiar with the beloved movie that Murphy is hoping to update: 

To be quite honest, I’m not sure I had the Oscar nominee planning a It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World remake on my motion picture bingo card. However, if the project does indeed receive the green light, I’d buy my ticket for it. Those who are familiar with the film likely know that it’s a madcap piece of work that can definitely tickle the funny bone. Stanley Kramer’s 1963 movie revolves around a stolen suitcase full of money, which is ultimately pursued by a plethora of strangers. The result is a funny story that’s filled with plenty of hijinks and some excellent performances. Quite frankly, I would love to see the Tower Heist star lead a new version of the movie as, in the right hands, it could really be entertaining. 

Part of what makes the notion of a remake so exciting is the sheer level of talent that could be amassed for it. The original movie was led by Spencer Tracy and featured comedy legends like Buddy Hackett, Jonathan Winters and Milton Berle. Should everything pan out for Eddie Murphy’s version of the flick, then it would seem that the production would go a similar route cast-wise: 

For me, that’s definitely one of the most exciting prospects of this proposed movie. In addition to the Big Momma’s House, there are plenty of big names that the Norbit star could recruit for the film. Names that come to mind for me are Larry David, Kevin Hart, Wanda Sykes, Ramy Youssef and Kate McKinnon. It’s hard to say what kind of assortment of talent the producers would bring together. But, if even some of the stars I just mentioned were to be added to the ensemble cast, I’d be pumped. 

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World would mark the third collaboration between Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. They previously starred alongside each other in 1992’s Boomerang (which is one of Murphy’s best movies) and 1999's Life, which has amassed a solid following. Funny enough, Lawrence originally wanted Murphy for Bad Boys, though the Saturday Night Live veteran’s price tag was too hefty. With that, Lawrence signed on with Will Smith, and the rest is movie history. I’m very hopeful that this movie gets off the ground and that Lawrence and Smith get to reunite. Remakes can definitely be hit or miss but, with great talent attached, I’m at least willing to give one a chance.

In the meantime, check out Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which is now playing in theaters and is one of the biggest titles on the 2024 movie schedule. Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, meanwhile, will begin streaming for Netflix subscribers on July 3. You can also stream the original It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World for free on Tubi.

He has become, without question, the breakout star of the 2024 summer movie season. Dennis McDonald’s legendary character Reggie, first introduced in Michael Bay’s Bad Boys II, has become a staple of the series ever since. Normally, he’s on the receiving end of the ridicule dispensed by Marcus (Martin Lawrence) and Mike (Will Smith), because he made the mistake of trying to date Marcus’s daughter and then – in Bad Boys for Life – get the young woman pregnant. But the best part about the new Bad Boys films is how the scripts evolve the main characters – Reggie included – and we are now learning that one key Reggie scene wasn’t even in the original Bad Boys: Ride or Die script.

We are going to have to get into spoilers for the new movie Bad Boys: Ride or Die, so stop reading now if you haven’t seen the movie and want to go in fresh.

Early on in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, one of the best in the series, Marcus suffers a heart attack during Mike’s wedding. Once out of the hospital, he heads home to recuperate, and ridicule Reggie (Dennis McDonald) for not having a job. Reggie reminds his father-in-law that he’s a U.S. Marine, to which Marcus says, “Well then you need to deploy.”

Marcus ends up singing a different tune later in the story, when armed goons invade the Burnett household, and Reggie snaps into fully Call of Duty mode to single-handedly dispatch an army of enemies. It’s one of the loudest cheer moments at the movies this summer, and one that McDonald told EW he trained for religiously. The actor said:

The scene works because it’s so believable. And it’s hilarious because when we first met Reggie, he was a timid boyfriend being bullied by Mike and Marcus. And now he’s a military force, capable of stepping up and defending his family. It’s a magnificent arc for a character that the Bad Boys crowd has embraced. It’s a big part of the reason why this movie has been critically acclaimed since it opened.

And it’s apparently why the directors chose to include an unscripted scene with Reggie that ends the film. It takes place in a Florida park, around a grill. Marcus is ready to cook for everyone, but Reggie steps up and offers to make chicken. And because of his bravery, Mike and Marcus hand him the “keys” to the grill. McDonald says he was just as surprised as everyone that he got the final scene in the movie, telling EW:

It’s a terrific ending, and one of more than a handful of emotional moments in Bad Boys: Ride or Die that help make the sequel special. Bad Boys 4 and Inside Out 2 are pulling the summer box office back to relevancy after a mild May. We have a number of upcoming 2024 movies that can continue the hot streak, including Despicable Me 4 and Deadpool & Wolverine. But for now, the summer belongs to Mike and Marcus. And certainly to Reggie.

Sony has a summer hit on its hands with Bad Boys: Ride Or Die. The action comedy that reunites Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s Miami cops just had a great opening weekend at the box office, and now celebrities like LeBron James and Jamie Foxx are going out of their way to show support for one of the latest of the 2024 movies!

While Ride Or Die left critics split, the fourth Bad Boys movie has been tracking really well with moviegoers, with audiences rating it an A- on Cinemascore, for example. As it turns out, NBA legend LeBron James is one of the vocal fans of the movie too. As he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter):

James made the comment on his social media in the light of the news that Ride Or Die made an impressive $104.6 million worldwide over the weekend, making it one of the most successful movies of the year already! Smith reposted the praise on his Instagram, adding the “🙏🏾” in reaction. Additionally, Jamie Foxx took some time to share a good word about the Bad Boys sequel on his own Instagram post while also sharing the successful numbers. Here’s what he wrote:

Smith and Foxx are friends in real life! Previously, Foxx supported his buddy when Smith released Emancipation by going to an early screening and hyping up the film as well. In the comment section, Smith penned this in response:

Will Smith has been doing the most as of late to get the word out for the newest Bad Boys movie, between going viral for surprising fans at a screening, to traveling all over the world to promote it as well. Martin Lawrence also reacted to Foxx’s kind words by saying this:

The Bad Boys movie looks like it will do pretty well for itself this weekend too amidst Pixar set to have the “biggest opening of the year” with Inside Out 2’s release, per Variety. The projections report the movie will still pull $28 million this weekend despite Inside Out 2 tracking at around $80 to $90 million.

For those hoping to see more Will Smith and perhaps even a fifth Bad Boys movie, the success of Ride Or Die is a great sign. Following the actor’s controversial Oscars slap back in 2022, it wasn’t clear if audiences would show up for the actor, but the masses are proving to say they are ready and happy to see Smith back in action again! He has too many real “ride or dies” to have a Bad Boys sequel go up and flop!

Continuing a franchise of one of the best action movies to ever play the game, Bad Boys: Ride or Die looks to be a hit with audiences all over. With that in mind, two natural follow up questions come to mind when assessing the future of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s buddy cop comedy: how successful will Ride or Die be, and will these misbehaving gentlemen want to return for another round?

Will Smith certainly has thoughts on a fifth movie, and he shared them recently in an interview with EW. Now while the man’s no stranger to summer blockbusters, sequels, and the crossroads where both concepts meet, Smith has some very specific points to address.With that in mind, here’s what he had to say about a potential Bad Boys 5:

No matter what happens at the box office, the desire of leads like Will Smith to return to a franchise like Bad Boys is a key stone in the foundation of any potential sequel. While Bad Boys: Ride or Die did sneak in a recasting of Theresa, Marcus’s wife, replacing either of the marquee leads would be even more noticeable.

Reading Will Smith calling this long spanning saga "an absolute joy" definitely helps sell his dedication to continue making Bad Boys movies. That admiration seems to be mutual, thanks to the reactions to directors Adil & Bilall’s latest. With fans like CinemaBlend’s own Phillip Sledge praising Ride or Die’s “big screen experience,” the conditions certainly feel right for Miami’s streets to experience yet another dose of law enforcement mayhem and comedy.

Bad Boys 4’s triumphant opening weekend certainly helps fuel the expectations for this series to continue, especially with some of the developments that took place. Also, the film’s ending does leave things pretty open ended for Mike and Marcus to speed back into theaters.

Considering how fast Ride or Die was greenlit after the blockbuster performance of Bad Boys for Life, it wouldn’t even be that shocking if a sequel was announced in the weeks to come. Again, we’ll just have to wait and see how successful Bad Boys: Ride or Die is, as it’s currently playing in its theatrical release. In the meantime, you can revisit the previous chapter, Bad Boys for Life, through access to a Hulu subscription.

Avid Bad Boys fans surely know that there are more than a few signature elements of the franchise. There are usually plenty of massive action sequences, jokes (which can be raunchy) and quick editing. Another tradition is the infamous 360 “Bayhem” shot, which figuratively (and literally) revolves around series leads Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. These shots are practically baked into the DNA of this film saga, and it’s likely that a number of fans have come to expect them. Despite that though, it looks like Lawrence and Smith don’t mind poking some fun at the camera technique. That’s because the two hilariously roasted it in a recent social media post. 

Throughout the duration of the press tour for the recently released Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the two lead actors have been sharing cool BTS tidbits on social media. In a recent Instagram post, the two leading men – along with YouTuber Max Goodrich – shared a key piece of information on the Bayhem shot. The post includes a video that begins with cuts of every time the shot occurs in one of the four BB movies. It then cuts to segment that humorously gives fans an idea of what the actors apparently see when being filmed in those moments, and the result is too funny:

While these moments may look cool on the big screen, they’re definitely not as sleek when they’re being crafted on the set. The two lead actors are definitely professionals, but one has to think that even they can find that process a little awkward. As fun as these action movies are, I can’t help but chuckle over the fact that they’re poking fun at one of the franchise’s biggest traditions. Also, if we’re to be serious about this, the people that wield the camera during these moments deserve a lot of credit for their work. 

These “Bayhem” moments derive their name from the director who kicked off this blockbuster series – Michael Bay. While his filmmaking techniques can be divisive, a number of his fans have come to appreciate his 360 shots, which are present in a number of his movies. Among the titles to make use of this hero tracking shots are The Rock, Transformers, Armageddon and The Island. And, while Bay didn’t direct Bad Boys for Life or Ride or Die, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have managed to seamlessly recreate his cinematic style – while adding their own personal touches, of course. 

One could definitely argue that the Ms. Marvel directors have managed to up the ante from a production standpoint. That’s certainly the impression one would get from another behind-the-scenes post that Will Smith shared to social media. Smith shared footage from an intense gun fight sequence, which shows how a camera is mounted to his body – and connected to his prop gun – to provide a first-person perspective for a scene. It’s definitely the kind of BTS footage that will make a person look at such an action sequence differently. 

Whether or not everyone can appreciate camera moves like that one or the Bayhem shot is unclear, but it would seem that plenty of folks made the trip to see the movie. Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s opening weekend at the box office proved to be a triumph for the summer movie season. The sequel overperformed, earning $56 million domestically and sits at $104.6 million globally. Fans also seem to be enjoying it, and CinemaBlend’s own Philip Sledge called it a big-screen experience you don’t want to miss.

Having seen the film myself, I can also say that it’s definitely a thrill ride that’ll have audiences on the edge of their seats. And yes, the Bayhem shot does look good in the context of the film. I will say, though, that after seeing Will Smith and Martin Lawrence taking a playful jab at it, it’ll be hard for me not to chuckle whenever I see the 360 shot moving forward. 

Check out Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which is now playing in theaters as part of the 2024 movie schedule. Anyone who wants to relive any Bayhem or experience it for the first time can stream the first three installments in the franchise with a Hulu subscription.

The Bad Boys: Ride or Die release date is almost here. But while fans are certainly looking forward to seeing Will Smith and Martin Lawrence team up once again, those fans were recently given a scare when it was suggested Lawrence might not be well. However, the actor himself says not to worry, everything is fine.

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith have been everywhere promoting the fourth Bad Boys movie over the last few weeks, but a couple of those appearances have had fans concerned about Lawrence. In a video posted by ET during the Los Angeles premiere of the film, Smith seemed to be assisting Lawrence in walking. During an interview on the same press tour, Lawrence appeared to be slurring his words.

Smith and Lawrence both sat down to speak with New York radio station Hot 97 where Lawrence was asked about how he was doing. He assured people that he was “all good” and that people didn’t need to worry about him, saying…

This may help some of Martin Lawrence’s fans rest easy. The comedian doesn’t address either of the specific issues that were captured on film, so if there’s an explanation for what was seen on video, we don’t have it. Press junkets for movies are long days in a row, so the idea that the 59-year-old was simply tired certainly wouldn’t be all that surprising. Smith and Lawrence do talk about just how big everything surrounding this movie has been, so it’s likely been exhausting. 

Many in the comments of the original video suggest that Martin Lawrence was known to have had a stroke, but that’s not quite true. 25 years ago Lawrence suffered from a severe bout of heat stroke while exercising and trying to lose weight for a role. He was in a coma for three days as a result. It’s been quite a while since that happened, however, and there's been no indication of adverse effects, so it’s unlikely it's related to any issues he may allegedly be having now.

Ironically Bad Boys: Ride or Die includes a health scare for Martin Lawrence's character that may only feed the flames of concern for the actor himself. It's also possible that the recent health battle from Jamie Foxx has fans on high alert for anything that might signal distress. 

The fourth Bad Boys film is being generally praised by critics. Although, CinemaBlend's Bad Boys: Ride or Die review is less than thrilled with the film. The movie is expected to have a solid opening weekend. Bad Boys For Life was a massive hit and the new film will hopefully continue the trend.

Whatever may or may not be going on with Martin Lawrence, he certainly seems to be in pretty good shape in this interview, and he has been doing all the press ahead of Bad Boys: Ride or Die. If there were real issues going on, we might expect Lawrence wouldn’t be on the front lines of promoting the movie. The Bad Boys return to the screen this weekend. 

If you’ve spent the past few years craving more antics from Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, this is a great week for you, as Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back reprising their roles first introduced in 1995 for the fourth installment of their buddy cop series, Bad Boys: Ride or Die. This time around, the odd-couple cops will turn their focus on corruption within the Miami Police Department as they seek to clear the name of the late Capt. Conrad Howard. Critics have seen the movie ahead of its June 7 release, and they are divided over how successful the sequel is.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have promised that Bad Boys 4 won’t be merely a victory lap — it’s possibly not even the end of the franchise. The stars say they really went for it in this fourth movie, and the reactions from early screenings seem to be in line with that sentiment. As for CinemaBlend’s review of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, our own Eric Eisenberg says die-hard fans will love this movie, but that’s about it. He gives it 2 stars out of 5, writing: 

Some Critics Agree Bad Boys 4 Feels ‘Depressingly Half-Hearted’ 

Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com agrees, saying the fourth film in the series “aggressively” repeats a lot of the same beats as Bad Boys for Life, except they were done better in the 2020 offering. Even the chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence isn’t as tight, Tallerico says, with many jokes falling flat. The critic continues: 

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter writes that after four movies, this comedic partnership is starting to feel a little strained. He says of Bad Boys: Ride Or Die: 

Others Praise Ride Or Die As A ‘Top-Tier’ Action Comedy 

Despite the opinions of the above critics, many think Bad Boys: Ride or Die is exactly the kind of movie summer audiences are looking for. Owen Gleiberman of Variety gives in to the dumb fun, saying the actors and the franchise are so far past being too old for this shit that “perhaps the only thing left to do is to ramp up the trash nostalgia to new levels of shameless overkill.” Gleiberman writes: 

Bill Bria of SlashFilm rates it an 8 out of 10, saying Bad Boys 4 is a blast, as it perfectly combines action, comedy and emotion. It’s so vibrant, Bria writes, that it has a stronger sense than its predecessors of what a Bad Boys movie is and makes a case for the franchise to continue. The critic gets hints of the Fast & Furious movies here too, with its emphasis on family, adding: 

Eric Goldman of IGN also rates the film a “Great” 8 out of 10. He also compares Bad Boys: Ride or Die to the Fast series and says the directors are the true stars of this movie in how they invoke the style of the first two flicks while adding their own twist. Goldman writes: 

Suffice it to say, if you’re a fan of the first three Bad Boys movies, you’ll likely want to check this one out. As for the more casual fans, you’ll have to decide which of the above critics resonate with you the most. Ride or Die currently holds a 70% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes from more than 40 assessments. 

Those who choose to give it a go can head to the theater starting Friday, June 7. Also be sure to check out our 2024 Movie Release Schedule to see what other movies are hitting the big screen soon. 

As far as franchises go, Bad Boys is not a series that is built for a great deal of growth. Although the first movie came out nearly 30 years ago, Detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are not characters the audience expects much from as far as evolution – they are forever freewheeling cops who never hesitate to explore violence as their go-to option – and their jurisdiction keeps them mostly on the streets of and in the air above Miami as they do battle with drug dealers and crime kingpins. The storytelling in the films has never been creatively rich… and yet, the canon still manages to hit a nadir with the fourth installment.

Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die gets off to a questionable start by featuring a first act that feels like a carbon copy of Bad Boys For Life (the protagonists zooming around Miami on the way to a family-centric event that concludes with a near-death scare), but things don’t improve once it tries to launch its own “original” plot. The script by Chris Bremner and Will Beall mostly amounts to a remix of elements from some of the weakest chapters of the Fast & Furious franchise – and while that does lead to opportunities for some wild and explosive action sequences with outstanding and unique cinematography, that coolness is drowned out by the more significant creative bankruptcy.

After reintroducing the main characters by having Mike getting married and Marcus having a heart attack at the wedding reception, the film revisits the death of Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) from Bad Boys For Life and reveals that his assassination was not a result of that movie’s cartel revenge plot. Upending that assumption is a video recorded before the captain’s demise in which he discloses to his favorite detectives he had been quietly investigating colleagues with cartel connections in the Miami Police Department, and word of his investigation getting out leads to him being murdered and posthumously framed as corrupt.

Wanting to clear Howard’s name, Mike and Marcus set about trying to find the moles in their department, and this means turning to Armando Aretas (Jacob Scipio) – Mike’s son who murdered Howard on orders from the cartel and knows the identity of who ordered the hit. Unfortunately, their efforts result in them being framed for crimes as well, and they have to go about finding the truth while also being on the lam.

Action sequences aside, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die is in the running for most generic film of 2024.

Fans of the series will note that there is an effort made in Bad Boys: Ride Or Die to tie the story to past adventures, with the return of key supporting characters from Bad Boys For Life and reference to the MDMA bust from 2003 (a.k.a. the plot of Bad Boys 2), but that’s ultimately all the movie really has going for it as an interesting extension of the franchise, as it otherwise feels generic and filled with details cribbed from other blockbuster sequels. 

With zero setup, Mike goes from being a fearless confirmed bachelor to a deeply in love married man who gets on the job panic attacks (a detail that is only included when convenient for tension and otherwise wholly unexplored), and Marcus is given Tyrese Gibson’s storyline from F9 and becomes convinced that he is immortal.

It’s tough to see the two heroes fail to arouse meaningful inspiration in the filmmakers, but there is at least some energy applied, which is more than can be said for the new faces in the supporting cast who are given nothing to work with. After years of phenomenal work on Better Call Saul, Rhea Seehorn is stuck in a lifeless role as Captain Howard’s daughter, an out-of-the-loop U.S. Marshal who spends most of the movie tracking and failing to catch Mike, Marcus and Armando while being nonsensically convinced of their guilt. 

At the very least, that’s more than what Eric Dane and Ioan Gruffudd are employed for; the former portrays a cruel blank slate main villain who doesn’t even get a name until the third act, and the latter plays a politician who mostly just sits around in the background waiting for an exceptionally obvious third act reveal.

Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah continue to demonstrate thrilling and special style with the action in Bad Boys: Ride Or Die.

It’s a shame that the script for Bad Boys: Ride Or Die is so incompetent because Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, in collaboration with cinematographer Robrecht Heyvaert and editors Asaf Eisenberg and Dan Lebental, continue to demonstrate exceptional flair and style as action directors. There are some sequences where things get a bit too frenetic (specifically a fight scene that plays out in a crashing tandem-rotor aircraft), but for the most part, it’s easy to appreciate that the filmmakers often opt for bizarre choices and camera angles. The crowning achievement is a third act battle that sees a zipping battlefield drone zoom into a first person shooter perspective before flipping around for an intense bodymount shot.

There are cool swings in moments both big and small, including a wild journey through space and time as Marcus experiences his heart attack, and it keeps the energy in the movie up amid everything that is so terribly groan-worthy.

Keeping in mind that this is a franchise that launched with Michael Bay at the helm, I fully understand that the diehards are not going into Bad Boys: Ride Or Die with a particular expectation for high-powered action that is fueled by a smart and clever screenplay… and this film is almost exclusively for them. Those with a more tepid relationship with this canon will clearly see that despite the action sequences successfully raising heart rates, everything else about it is running out of steam. Little common ground will likely be found between those two halves of the movie-going audience, but at the very least, there will probably be some agreement between both sides labeling it the worst of the series.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is only weeks away from its premiere date on the 2024 movie schedule. However, despite Bad Boys 4 having a solid title, moviegoers are still sounding off about the sequel’s name being a missed opportunity. Of course, the film's stars, Martin Lawrence and Will Smith, are aware of the discourse. So, after hearing the online chatter, the two actors took to social media to admit that they knew they blew it with the Bad Boys 4’s title.

After the fourth movie was announced, the duo acknowledged they messed up the title of the third film, which was called Bad Boys for Life. The title discrepancy was an oversight for Lawrence and Smith as they didn’t know Bad Boys 3 would become the success it did almost two decades after Bad Boys II. The issue reappeared when the Hollywood stars hopped on the franchise’s Instagram account to answer fan comments. Watch the Bad Boy co-stars admit to their wrongdoing in the honest and funny clip below:

They did agree with the audience’s common consensus. Having the fourth film named Bad Boys 4 Life would be fun. However, the actors may not have known there would be a Bad Boys for Life follow-up back in 2020. Of course, hindsight is 20/20.

Honestly, the real star of the clip was Will Smith’s nonchalant comments. He seemed annoyed answering the question countless times, and he did get some funny quips in. He admitted the cast and crew blew it before, saying the commenter and others acted like they’ve never blown a prime opportunity. At least he could laugh it off after reuniting with Lowrey’s Porsche.

Bad Boys for Life came almost two years after the first sequel. It was a surprise pandemic hit in 2020, grossing over $426 million worldwide. It ended up being the fourth highest-grossing film of that year and the highest-grossing installment for the franchise so far. Its success led to the third sequel being greenlit. Bad Boys: Ride or Die will arrive on June 4.

However, moviegoers weren’t just in a tizzy about the sequel’s title. They started worrying that the third sequel was the franchise’s end, which Smith and Lawrence denied by mentioning they were ready for a fifth film. So, if the fourth installment is a hit, fans might see Marcus Burnett and Mike Lowrey partner up again for one more action romp. They already set the tone by saying the film isn’t a victory lap compared to other franchises. So, it would be nice to see the series end on a high note.

If you want to prepare for Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s release, don’t forget to rewatch the entire Bad Boys franchise with a Hulu subscription. Follow up your Bad Boys binge by watching the best movies on the streamer.

This summer, when Bad Boys: Ride of Die hits theaters, will it be the end of the road for Martin Lawrence and Will Smith’s iconic buddy cop partnership? While I suspected the title spoke for itself and was hinting at an upcoming finale, it turns out I could be wrong.

The fourth Bad Boys movie has Smith’s Detective Mike Lowrey and Lawrence’s Marcus Miles Burnett riding side by side once again to investigate corruption within the Miami PD by helping clear the name of Joe Pantoliano’s late Captain Conrad Howard. When the pair of funny actors attended the Bad Boys premiere, they were asked about if they might be ready to pass the torch of the franchise. Here’s what they told The Hollywood Reporter:

Will Smith: "We might have one more in us before we hand it off, but we got a lot of young seeds in there."

Martin Lawrence: "The back ain’t went out quite yet, so before we do that — we ain’t going to pass it off just yet."

Well, there you have it! It sounds like the pair of Bad Boys leads are interested in keeping their names on the action series... that is until one of their backs goes out. I guess I stand corrected on Ride Or Die signaling the end of the Bad Boys.

Of course, perhaps the best indicator of the future of Bad Boys is how it does when it comes out this summer. When Adil & Bilall directed Bad Boys For Life (prior to coming back for Ride Or Die), the filmmakers have actually recalled titling it as they did because they thought it would be the final movie for the Bad Boys franchise. To their surprise, the movie was a huge success, becoming the highest grossing installment in the franchise and making $424 million off of a production budget of $90 million.

I don’t know about you, but imagining a Bad Boys movie without Smith and Lawrence just doesn’t feel right. Of course, I could see Hollywood going that route someday, but why do so when these two are still having fun with their iconic characters? Now that I think about it more, Ride Or Die could more be referring to the buddy cops who do everything in their power to clear the bill of their captain, even after his death. You can check out the Bad Boys: Ride Or Die trailer below:

Bad Boys: Ride or Die was actually screened for the first time a couple of weeks ago to high praise. Some of its first audiences called it a “total blast,” “a perfect blend of old-school and new hip culture” and even the “BEST Bad Boys movie ever” by one viewer. You can look forward to the movie hitting theaters on June 7, and check out what other 2024 movies are on the way here on CinemaBlend.

After decades on the shelf, the Bad Boys franchise returned in a big way when Bad Boys for Life came out in 2020. The movie was the highest-grossing film of the year and, while that was a pandemic-assisted accomplishment, it was a significant enough hit for a fourth movie to be greenlit. Ride or Die's release date is almost here and, while fans are certainly excited, it still feels like the new movie just has the wrong title, because the last one used it. Now, the co-director has provided an explanation for that.

The decision to title the third movie For Life seemed bizarre even at the time because calling a fourth installment Bad Boys 4 Life seemed so obvious to apparently everybody but the filmmakers. However, co-director Adil El Arbi tells our sister site, GamesRadar, that there's a good reason why he, fellow director Bilall Fallah and their collaborators made that decision. While talking about the chances of a fifth movie, he explained… 

If this is true, that there was a real belief that the third movie would be the last one, then the title does make sense. Bad Boys for Life is a good title to end a franchise with. Maybe it was a surprise to see the movie become such a box office hit. Though that led to the unfortunate situation of having to come up with a new title for the fourth movie when even Will Smith and Martin Lawrence agreed that the franchise used the wrong title for the last movie.

The problem with this idea is that as far back as 2015, when Bad Boys 3 was officially announced, the fourth film was also announced. The plan was to do at least two more movies. It would be a few more years before the next movie actually happened, so maybe the decision to make that fourth flick had been unconfirmed in the interim. But then the For Life ending certainly left the door open for a sequel.  At some point, the decision to at least consider another movie had clearly been made. 

The Ride or Die trailer has promised fans another exciting adventure. 4 Life may have been the best possible title for this latest romp starring Martin Lawrence and Will Smith, but Ride or Die certainly isn’t a bad second choice. It will work as a “final” title if this is in fact the last movie in the series. However, if the new film ends up doing as well as the last one at the box office then they may need to have to come up with another new title and, if so, their options will be quite limited.

Fans can see Bad Boys: Ride or Die in theaters when it opens on June 7 as part of the 2024 movie schedule. In the meantime, you can check out the first three films using a Hulu subscription.

It took a long time for a third Bad Boys movie to finally get made, but when it did, the Bad Boys For Life box office showed that the long wait hadn’t dampened fan enthusiasm for the franchise. Going back to make Bad Boys 4 was a pretty obvious choice, and it's clearly one of the most anticipated upcoming Will Smith movies, but Smith says Bad Boys: Rise or Die wasn’t just about putting himself and Martin Lawrence in an action movie, as the film needed to find an emotional core if it was really going to work.

While Smith promises EW that the “popcorn part” of the new Bad Boys movie will be everything fans are looking for in an action movie, he says it was important for him that there be more than just that going on. Smith thinks that the friendship between the two main characters is the real reason the movie resonates with fans. He said...

Bad Boys 4 Life picked up years after Bad Boys 2, seeing our two main characters much older and, hopefully, wiser. The movie itself caused major changes in the lives of the characters, with longtime friend Captain Howard, played by Joe Pantoliano, being killed and Will Smith’s character Mike discovering he has a son, something the Bad Boys For Life ending implied would be important in the next film.

Smith promises that when the Bad Boys: Ride or Die release date arrives next month, it will mean even more changes for our heroes. As, 30 years after the franchise began, Mike and Marcus may no longer be entirely on the same page in regards to what they want. Smith continued...

The Bad Boys: Ride or Die trailer promised us lots of action and things blowing up, but the people who are invested in the relationship between Mike and Marcus may be for an even wilder ride. Whatever may cause them to grow apart could mean there are plans to make Ride or Die the end of the franchise, but if the box office responds as strongly to this movie as it did the last one, I’m sure somebody can find a way to bring them back together again.

You can’t think about the best action films of the ‘90s without Will Smith and Martin Lawrence coming to mind in Bad Boys. The 1995 buddy cop film started a franchise that combined humor, action and plenty of iconic movie quotes that have endured over the decades. Now Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett are back in the new sequel Bad Boys: Ride or Die, showing off more of the actors’ A+ chemistry. The fourth movie in the franchise has screened, and those who were able to catch a showing ahead of its June 7 release date are hitting social media with their first reactions.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die sees Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s characters turning their sights on the MIami Police Department in a twist involving legacy character Captain Conrad Howard. Though the captain died in 2020’s Bad Boys for Life, he’s posthumously accused of having been involved with the drug cartel, and our heroes set out to clear his name. Drew Taylor of The Wrap certainly seemed to enjoy it, noting one of the newcomers to the cast. The critic writes: 

The outlet Atom agrees Will Smith and Martin Lawrence aren’t merely taking a victory lap with this sequel. The site goes so far as to say this installment is the best in the franchise. In Atom’s words: 

Maurice Moyer writes that Bad Boys: Ride or Die checks the boxes of everything you’d want out of a movie in this genre, rating it a perfect 10/10. Moyer tweets: 

It’s more than just action and comedy, though, according to Bill Bria of SlashFilm. The critic says directors Adil & Bilall have included emotion to balance the excitement and explosions. Bria’s post reads: 

It’s no hot take that Shika Sweetie thinks the second film of the franchise is the best, but fans might be excited to hear that Ride or Die exceeds even that 2003 classic in her mind. She writes: 

Owen Danoff of ScreenRant agrees with Shika Sweetie and is one of many to give Dennis Greene props as Marcus’ son-in-law Reggie. Danoff also points out that moviegoers don’t need to be familiar with the first three films to enjoy this one. The critic tweets: 

Entertainment writer Shanelle Genai says there’s no shortage of entertainment when it comes to the fourth Bad Boys movie, and while the emotion is definitely there, Ride or Die is first and foremost about fun. In Genai’s words: 

Unfortunately the movie isn’t for everyone. Russ Milheim of The Direct admits it wasn’t his cup of tea, though he notes his fellow moviegoers were having fun and fans of the other Bad Boys movies likely won’t be disappointed. 

Those who have seen the other Bad Boys movies likely know a little of what to expect with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s humor and chemistry. Most of the critics seem to agree that Bad Boys: Ride or Die does not disappoint. While we wait for the movie to hit the 2024 movie calendar on June 7, you can refresh your memory on the franchise, with the first three Bad Boys movies being available to stream with a Hulu subscription. 

The forthcoming Bad Boys: Ride or Die will be here in less than a month, and the hype surrounding the 2024 movie release is steadily ramping up. Based on the footage that’s been released thus far, it looks like the flick is set to deliver all of the action, thrills and comedy fans have come to expect from this franchise. Despite that, it doesn’t sound like we should expect the filmmakers to rest on their laurels with this newest installment. Lead actors Will Smith and Martin Lawrence recently conveyed that very sentiment while teasing the creative swings the sequel will take. 

What Will Smith And Martin Lawrence Said About Ride Or Die And Sequels

Sequels are very tricky endeavors. On the one hand, the cast and crew ideally want to maintain the elements that make a franchise so popular. On the other hand though, a team should aim to use a follow-up to inject fresh elements into the proceedings. Both Martin Lawrence and Will Smith have seen and starred in their fair share sequels over the years. Smith shared his thoughts on such movies, explaining why they shouldn’t be concerned with playing the greatest hits, so to speak: 

He makes a fair point in that there are those follow-ups that tend to serve as “victory laps” and coast on what its predecessors did. As a result, many of these kinds of productions end up being sequels we wish were never made. So it’s encouraging that the Men in Black star shared the sentiments above with Empire. During the interview, the Oscar winner went on to explain how he and his collaborators are looking to change things up this time. He also teased a change-up of sorts for a particular character: 

Martin Lawrence, who plays Marcus, agreed with his longtime co-star’s assessment. He echoed the idea that the team is mixing up the formula this time around: 

All in all, these comments are intriguing, especially as far as the character of Marcus Burnett is concerned. If anything, they just make me more excited for what’s to come and, based on what’s known about the plot, returning directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah and co. are really planning to flip the script with this latest entry in the action-comedy series.

How Bad Boys: Ride Or Die Will Be Different From Previous Installments?

The first Bad Boys 4 trailer showed off the impeccable chemistry between the two leads, and it also presented a premise that puts Marcus and partner Mike Lowery in a dangerous position. Both learn of a conspiracy involving their deceased boss, Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) and, as part of a set-up job, they become wanted men. (Interestingly, that legacy character twist ties into past movies.) As a result, they must rely on help from Mike’s illegitimate son, Armando (Jacob Scipio). I’d say this is a solid way to subvert the usual “cops pursuing bad guys” approach that the franchise is known for. 

Don’t worry, though, the film still seems as though it’s going to deliver what fans have loved about the franchise for nearly 30 years now. I’m talking about the high stakes, massive set pieces and great jokes. We’ll soon see whether the production does indeed manage to avoid the victory lap trap that so many others fall into.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die opens in theaters on June 7 and, while you wait for it, you can stream the first three installments with a Hulu subscription.

In their nearly three decades as one of our iconic movie bromances and one of the top buddy cop duos in cinematic history, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have delivered a number of sporty and stylish looks in the ever popular Bad Boys franchise. Now, Bad Boys 4 is set to hit theaters on June 7, and the appearance of a certain tee in the film led to a fun exchange between the stars and The Voice coach, Reba McEntire.

What’s On The Tee That Led To The Exchange Between Bad Boys 4’s Will Smith And Martin Lawrence, And Reba McEntire?

Everyone’s favorite Miami-Dade police detectives, Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence), are no slouches when it comes to being (and looking) cool when under extreme pressure, but the upcoming Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the highly anticipated fourth installment, is going to see the usually casually dapper duo needing to switch their standard gear for something quite different. Smith posted a shot from the movie on Instagram, and you can see why Reba McEntire got involved:

The scene that sees the King Richard Oscar winner sporting a sleeveless, plaid shirt over the country music legend’s concert tee appears at the end of the Bad Boys 4 trailer, and led Smith to request that she “rate my ‘fit,” which led to this conversation between the three when his co-star and the award-winning singer commented:

• Smith: @reba, rate my ‘fit? And I don’t wanna hear any jokes @martinlawrence
• McEntire: On a scale of 1 to #Fancy, you ain’t letting me down with that tee [Will Smith]! [Martin Lawrence] need me to send you a matching one?
• Lawrence: [Reba,] You already know! 🤣🙏🏾

Honestly? I can’t blame the Blue Streak star for wanting in on a Reba fit. The (hopefully returning) Young Sheldon guest star is awesome! And, as you can see from her comment, McEntire is on board for the look, and making sure that the stars can have matching shirts, which I sincerely hope they wear to the premiere. That tee might not be 100% “#Fancy,” but you really never lose when you pay homage to the Queen of Country.

We likely won’t be seeing a lot of Smith in that fabulous tee when Bad Boys: Ride or Die hits the big screen, but there’s sure to be a ton of what fans want from a new blockbuster in the franchise. The film will see Burnett and Lowrey go on the run as they try to clear the name of their late captain, Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano), who’s now been accused of having his hands in some dirty cartel dealings while he was still alive. So, you can bet that we’ll get lots of action, laughs, and probably some cool twists when we can all finally get our butts into theater seats to watch the upcoming hit.

Moviegoers have gotten a taste Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett’s latest misadventures in the Bad Boys 4 trailer. As Martin Lawrence and Will Smith prepare for the fourth installment to hit theaters (as seen on the 2024 movie schedule), the co-stars looked back at past installments, which almost teamed Eddie Murphy with Lawrence. Of course, Bad Boy 2’s famous Reggie scene came up. The two friends recalled filming the standout scene, and now, I understand why it’s so perfect.

The two co-stars reminisced over the iconic Bad Boys 2 scene while being nostalgic in a Sony Pictures clip. They joked about their days on the first Bad Boys film, with Lawrence commenting on his skinny arms and Smith bringing up his too-big belt. Smith mentioned that the Reggie actor was just a regular kid before joining the blockbuster sequel. The actor’s minimal acting experience made for an interesting scene:

Will Smith: "[Dennis Greene], he wasn’t an actor. And he didn’t know, because we were ad-libbing the whole scene. So, because he wasn’t an actor, Michael Bay wanted us to like, you know, rile him up a little bit. So, we were pretending like we were mad."

Martin Lawrence: "… We were in a confrontation, arguing with each other over something."

Of course, the two movie veterans couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do some improv with Denis Greene (unbeknownst to him). Smith called out Greene’s untrained reaction to the duo’s faux argument, saying:

Knowing the Reggie actor hadn’t acted before doing the whole scene from a different perspective is interesting to learn. The intimidation of Marcus’ daughter's boyfriend was funny, scary and awkward when the Bad Boys sequel first arrived two decades ago. If you want to see the moment Smith pointed out, just watch the famous Bad Boys 2 scene below.

Seeing it 20 years later was eye-opening. It’s still just as funny and cringy as I remember. I could tell Greene wasn’t used to ad-libbing or improvising on a set. He came off as timid and unsure of himself in his first movie. He must’ve been overwhelmed trying to figure out where to jump in as these two Hollywood stars volley quips back and forth at the character’s expense. It’s one of those scenes that still strikes fear in my inner teenage boy, especially when meeting the family for the first time. However, his non-existent acting resume and Smith and Lawrence’s timing made for comedy gold.

Luckily, Dennis Greene’s lack of experience didn’t affect his Bad Boys connection. He returned for Bad Boys for Life as Marcus’s son-in-law in the hit threequel. In an unsurprising move, Greene will again join the Bad Boys cast in Bad Boys: Ride or Die. If another sequel is greenlit, I’m sure Reggie will return for another round of insults from Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.

The third sequel will arrive in cinemas on June 7. Check back with CinemaBlend for more Bad Boys 4 updates.

Thanks to their work on the Bad Boys movies, Martin Lawrence and Will Smith have made up one of the most iconic big-screen duos for decades now. Fans surely love the thrills that the action movie saga offers, though I’d argue that it's the chemistry between the two leads that’s really made this franchise shine. So it’s somewhat hard to imagine anyone else but Smith and Lawrence playing the roles of Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, respectively. However, it turns out that Lawrence initially wanted someone else to be his co-star: Eddie Murphy. The actor recently explained why Murphy didn’t end up joining up with him and shed light on what convinced him that Smith was the right choice. 

Most fans are surely aware that Sony Pictures’ box office hit of a franchise began back in the mid ‘90s. What they may not be aware of, though, is the fact that it was first offered to Martin Lawrence as a potential big-screen vehicle. The veteran actor reflected on that while appearing at a Q&A alongside Will Smith in promotion of the upcoming Bad Boys: Ride or Die. It was at that point that he revealed his initial desire to have Eddie Murphy play his on-screen partner. He also humorously divulged the (understandable) reason why Murphy wasn’t cast: 

Of course, Will Smith was ultimately the person to get the gig. Martin Lawrence went on to say in the YouTube clip from Funny Marco that he “picked the right person.” As for how he was encouraged to seek out the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star, he cited two key moments: 

I’d have to agree that everything turned out just fine. Otherwise, I’m not sure the pair would be marking the release of a fourth installment in the series about 30 years after making the first. And, based on the first trailer for Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the two stars’ chemistry is as strong as it’s ever been. On top of that, they’re off-camera bond seems to still be strong as well. Nearly a year ago, while they were filming the movie, Will Smith highlighted his friendship with Martin Lawrence while wishing him a happy birthday. And, shortly after, Lawrence shouted out “Big Willie” amid his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. 

They may not have gotten to work together on the 1995 movie, but Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy are still connected. They starred alongside each other in the 1992 rom-com Boomerang and would team up again for the 1999 prison comedy Life. Additionally, Murphy’s son and Lawrence’s daughter are engaged, and the two have exchanged funny takes on who’s paying for the wedding. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious as to what Murphy would’ve brought to the series, I’m certainly glad that Will Smith was picked as the co-leading man.

You can see the hilarious duo on the big screen together once again when Bad Boys: Ride or Die opens on June 7 as part of the 2024 movie schedule. You can also stream the first two installments using a Hulu subscription.

The Bad Boys franchise has become a fan favorite amongst moviegoers since it launched back in 1995 with the Michael Bay-helmed first installment. With that, I’ve been awaiting details on the highly anticipated fourth installment in the series. Details have occasionally dropped in recent months but, now, we’ve been graced with the first official trailer for the flick. As you’d expect, it shows off more of the A+ on-screen chemistry between the lead actors – Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. However, after seeing the fresh footage, I’m more focused on the fact that a legacy character has surprisingly been integrated into the story. 

What’s so fun about this first trailer for the upcoming Bad Boys: Ride or Die is that it quickly drops viewers back into the rarely boring lives of veteran police officers Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett. The first sequence is reminiscent of the prologue to 2020’s For Life, in which the two are racing to witness the birth of Marcus’ first grandchild. This time around, the two are dressed dapperly and seemingly headed for another event, when Burnett wants to stop to get a drink. Of course, while indulging in even more snacks at the store, the place is held up. It’s great seeing Mike jump in to provide the assist, but it’s the banter the two share during what should be a tense moment that really makes this scene pop.

What really has my attention, though, is the surprising reveal that viewers will see the return of the duo’s late boss, Captain Conrad Howard. The law enforcement official was notably killed by Mike’s illegitimate son in For Life. Howard’s legacy takes center stage here, as he’s been posthumously accused of collaborating with cartel bosses. With that, Joe Pantoliano reprises his role as Howard, who recorded messages for Marcus and Mike before his death. It appears these clips will lead them towards the truth of his allegiances. I must say, it's great to see Pantoliano back.

Another interesting development is that the quest to reveal the truth about Howard sets the two protagonists’ primary mission in motion and apparently turns them into fugitives. That’s an excellent change of pace, as this’ll be the first film in which they’re public enemies. Not only that but, while they’re on the lam, they’ll have to rely on help from Mike’s formerly convicted son, Armando. (The parenting dynamics there are going to be wild.) While we’ll still have to wait to see the film, at first glance, these are some exciting plot threads that could come together to create an entertaining flick.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die was officially confirmed in January 2023, during which the lead actors admitted to screwing up the title of the third film. Just days after that announcement, fans got even better news when it was confirmed that filming was already in progress. The film not only brings back Will Smith and Martin Lawrence but also reunites them with For Life alums Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Jacob Scipio, Paola Núñez, DJ Khaled and the aforementioned Joe Pantoliano. Franchise newcomers include Rhea Seehorn, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd and Tasha Smith. Also, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who helmed the third movie, resume their director duties.

Although this trailer is, on the whole, just a small taste of what’s to come, it definitely has me pumped. It’s absolutely fun to see longtime friends Martin Lawrence and Will Smith back in the saddle and doing what they do best. The teases of the action sequences are also exciting to behold and have me thinking I should check this one out in IMAX. The icing on the cake, though, is the return of Joe Pantoliano’s Captain Howard, and I’m so glad the writers found a way to include him.

The summer blockbuster season should really heat up when Bad Boys: Ride or Die hits theaters on June 7 as part of the 2024 movie schedule. While you wait for its release, stream the first three installments using a Hulu subscription.

There are a number of exciting franchise titles currently scheduled to arrive in theaters this summer, and one of those titles is Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah's Bad Boys 4. One of the big differences between the Will Smith/Martin Lawrence sequel and other big titles on the slate, however, is that while most of the summer 2024 blockbusters (like Wes Ball's Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes and George Miller's Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) have spent recent months in post-production, the upcoming sequel to Bad Boys For Life only just finished principal photography today.

We have been waiting for key updates about Bad Boys 4 – including serious anticipation for an official title and the movie's first trailer – but evidently, all of that has been held off until the movie has made it all the way through production. At long last, the action movie wrapped this afternoon, and Will Smith and Martin Lawrence launched a shared post on Instagram to mark the moment. Check out their post below:

Production on Bad Boys 4 first started last year, but like many other movies, production had to be put on pause due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Those labor conflicts were both resolved before the end of 2023, but apparently work on the movie wasn't able to restart immediately. We still don't know what Bad Boys 4 will be called, but it seems that Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah and the folks in the editing department are going to have to do some heads-down hard work in the next few months to make sure that the finished cut is ready for the studio's set tentpole release date.

As noted in Will Smith's caption for the post, Bad Boys 4 is currently scheduled to arrive in theaters on June 7 – right in between the release dates for the aforementioned Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga and Pixar's Inside Out 2. In addition to Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, who will pair up for their fourth adventure as Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, the film's talented ensemble cast also includes Alexander Ludwig, Vanessa Hudgens, Rhea Seehorn, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Paola Núñez and Jacob Scipio. All plot details are presently being kept a secret.

While the movie enters post-production, Bad Boys 4 marketing will have to start ramping up soon, and that means it probably won't be too much longer until we get both a title and first look footage. Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for all of the latest updates about the project, as it's one of our most anticipated titles on the 2024 movie release schedule. If you're in need of quelling your hunger to watch more Bad Boys action, you can stream both Bad Boys and Bad Boys 2 with an AMC+ subscription, and Bad Boys For Life is currently available to Starz subscribers.

The Bad Boys franchise was so widely loved that that calls for sequels persisted nearly two decades after its 2003 sequel. The long wait paid off for fan, as the elusive threequel, Bad Boys for Life, finally released in 2020 and became a box office hit. And, soon after, it was revealed that there were plans for Bad Boys 4. Fans are still waiting for that fourth movie, and details on it are slim right now. But they'll surely be happy to hear an update from Will Smith, who has announced that filming should be concluded in just over a week.

Will Smith took to Instagram to announce that the upcoming action movie, which is currently in production, has about eight days left of filming in Miami. From there, it'll move into post-production. The Bad Boys 4 release date is currently set for later this year, so this is a big step forward for the blockbuster ahead of that. Based on the responses to the post, a lot of people weren’t even aware the movie was happening so, if this is news to you and you’re a big fan, congratulations. Check out what Smith had to share:

The actor even jokes that he hurt himself in the video. The fact that he and Martin Lawrence are significantly older now than they were while making the first two films played into the third film. Now, it seems likely that will be the case with this upcoming installment as well.

Right now, we know that Bad Boys 4 has a release date of June 7 on the 2024 movie schedule, which is only going to give the movie about three months of post-production time. However, one assumes that since the franchise utilizes a lot of practical effects, there isn’t a great deal of post-production CGI work that will need to be done compared to some other major films. As such, it’s certainly possible that the Paramount Pictures flick will be ready to go by June.

BB for Life crushed at the box office and has the somewhat dubious distinction of being the highest-grossing movie of 2020. The film was released in January, just a week before theaters shut down due to the global pandemic. To be sure, the film's box office intake was definitely significant and more than enough to warrant a follow-up. Though it’s unlikely it would have been at the top of the heap under normal circumstances. 

While specific plot details are still being kept under wraps, Bad Boys For Life's ending perfectly set up the sequel, and let's just say, it could feature an uneasy truce. It's been a bit of a wait for a movie that did so well at the box office, it'll hopefully all be worth it.

The biggest question now revolves around the film's name. Unfortunately, Bad Boys 4 Life won’t work, but it's been said that Ride or Die may be the actual title, but that hasn't been confirmed. Regardless of that though, it's just great to hear that filming is nearly completed and that progress is being made. While you wait for the film to drop, stream the first two installments using a Prime Video subscription.

Earlier this month, the broadcast of the Super Bowl offered a whole lot of treats for movie fans. In addition to exciting footage from titles that have already debuted footage (like the new Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes trailer), audiences were also served up a first look at Deadpool & Wolverine and a very early preview of Twisters. Sadly, one upcoming 2024 blockbuster that didn't showcase any new marketing materials during the big game was Bad Boys 4... and while that tested fan patience, a new Instagram post from star Will Smith is also doing nothing to quell anticipation.

This weekend, Will Smith attended a Kevin Hart standup performance at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, and the two stars were joined in a backstage photo by a very familiar face: Martin Lawrence. Check out the post below, which includes the short caption, "Damn! My guy @kevinhart4real was on FIRE tonight!!"

Bad Boys 4, which still doesn't have an official title (why did they waste Bad Boys For Life?!), was first announced back in January 2020 following the blockbuster success of the series' third installment. A whole lot of stuff has happened in the world since then – including the COVID-19 pandemic and the infamous Will Smith slap at the 2022 Oscars – but production on the feature finally got up and running last spring. There was a hiccup during principal photography due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, but the feature is now in post-production.

Bad Boys 4 will not only see the return of Will Smith's Mike Lowrey and Martin Lawrence's Miles Burnett, but Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez and DJ Khaled will all also be back to reprise their roles from Bad Boys For Life. Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane (a.k.a. McSteamy) is reportedly playing the villain in the film, though plot details are being kept a secret for now. Other franchise newcomers include Ioan Gruffudd and Better Call Saul star Rhea Seehorn.

Chris Bremner, who co-wrote Bad Boys For Life is back to write the script for Bady Boys 4, and filmmakers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (who are collectively credited as Adil & Bilall) are directing the feature as their first project since Warner Bros. cancelled the release of Batgirl.

It's unknown when we'll get our first look at the film, but Bad Boys 4 is set to be one of 2024's big summer tentpoles and is scheduled to hit theaters on June 14 (the same weekend as Pixar's Inside Out 2 ). Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more updates about the exciting sequel, including news about its title and word on when we will finally get a debut trailer.

The success of the Bad Boys franchise can be boiled down to two main pillars. Between the keen eye of creative types like producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Michael Bay, and the acting talents of stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, one of the best action movies was born. Bur looking back at 1995 film’s development history makes this combination of forces even more valuable.

As it turns out, there were a couple of important pivot points in Bad Boys history where other talents could have fronted the project. Everyone from high profile SNL vets to a talk show legend was considered, which leads us to the stories of all the actors who almost starred in this action-comedy classic. 

The Original Bad Boys Choices, According To Jerry Bruckheimer

It’s certainly no secret that Bad Boys went through a lot of changes. Even Smith and Lawrence recalled the original casting, which originally centered around SNL vets Dana Carvey and Jon Lovitz. The story floated around for a while in the history of the project with its own healthy life in the world of trivia surrounding this blockbuster of Bayhem.

What really anchored this tale in reality was when producer Jerry Bruckheimer told the story of this original variation on the podcast Literally! With Rob Lowe in 2020. After Jon Lovitz himself alluded to the story in a previous episode, Lowe asked his guest for his take on the saga. In his own words, this is how the Top Gun producer recalled that fateful tale: 

It may shock you that Bad Boys was originally set up at Disney, but this was back when the lucrative subsidiary Hollywood Pictures was still around. With that shingle originating the project, the journey had begun, albeit with a vastly different pairing. Sure enough, if you go back to a 1993 write up from The Los Angeles Times, you can see that Lovitz and Carvey were attached to the movie that had been kicking around since 1986. 

With the original script (entitled Bulletproof Hearts) being transformed into what would become Bad Boys, the SNL duo would eventually move on once the project hit this setback. And so too would Michael Bay’s directorial debut, which would next be set up with the good folks at Sony; leading to another huge “what if” in the casting world.

Why Arsenio Hall Passed On Bad Boys

As Jerry Bruckheimer continued to recall on his Literally! Interview, Sony was in love with making Bad Boys. Fortune was smiling on this project again, but it was going to take some creative casting to get those sports cars flying in the air. And yet again, it was all about getting the right star power into the driver’s seat; which at that time in the business wasn’t Will Smith.

Bruckheimer revealed this next round of casting chronicles to hinge on two parties: Martin Lawrence and talk show host/Coming to America star Arsenio Hall. Here’s how that dance went down, and how Lawrence won: 

Now what’s really interesting is that according to Jerry Bruckheimer’s story, it sounds like Arsenio could have been considered for the role of Detective Sergeant Marcus Burnett. But in his own recollection with THR in 2013, Hall specified that he was actually up for Will Smith’s role of Detective Sergeant Michael Lowery. 

No matter which story happened to be true, Arsenio Hall’s regret for passing up on Bad Boys was apparent, as here’s how he told his side of the story:

The crazy past of the Bad Boys franchise could have seen a myriad of different choices that could have come to pass, giving us a radically different movie each time. But the stars aligned, and the still beloved classic is still very much in the hearts of those involved, and the fans they love to show off for. 

What we know about Bad Boys 4, or Bad Boys Ride Or Die if co-director Adi El Arabi's recent comments are accurate, is that it’s pretty far along in the process. As principal photography reportedly wrapped before the SAG-AFTRA strike, the film’s position on the 2024 release schedule might be intact. We’ll have to wait and see if any further updates come out of this production that alter the course, but for now Bad Boys 4 is scheduled to take its place at the box office on June 24, 2024. 

After two very successful Bad Boys movies with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, it took a surprisingly long time to get Bad Boys 3 into production. That movie was also a hit, technically the highest-grossing film of 2020, though certainly a global pandemic happening shortly after had a lot to do with that. But even with all the delays caused by the pandemic, Bad Boys 4 is still moving forward. And it may at least have a title, which is a solid title, considering they accidentally wasted the best option on the last movie.

Speaking with The Playlist Bad Boys 4 co-director Adi El Arabi says that the title the directors like is Bad Boys Ride or Die. That title apparently hasn’t been signed off on yet, but it sounds like that’s what the new movie will be called since the most obvious title has already been used. El Arbi explained… 

As titles go, Ride Or Die sounds pretty good. Considering that our heroes are getting up there in age, riding or dying sounds like things that could actually happen in the film. Although, since the director indicates that the new movie will likely be funnier than the last, we can probably assume it won’t go so dark as to kill off any of our main characters.

It seems pretty much everybody agrees that calling the new movie Bad Boys 4 Life would have been the way to go, but apparently, the directors didn’t want to risk not being able to use the title at all if the fourth film did not materialize. 

The situation surrounding Bad Boys 4 is nearly as confusing as the one surrounding Bad Boys For Life. As early as 2015 it was reported that two sequels in the Bad Boys franchise were planned. But it seems that by the time the third film was actually being made, which took a few more years, the guarantee of a fourth film was gone. Instead, we saw an official Bad Boys 4 announcement hit shortly after the opening weekend of the third film, where the movie exceeded expectations, making the success of a fourth film far more likely.

Fans of the franchise will be glad to know that Bad Boys 4 was able to complete principal photography prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike beginning. While one assumes that reshoots will be needed, as they almost always are, they likely won’t be happening for months, so there is certainly hope that the strike will be resolved by then. Bad Boys Ride Or Die, as we’ll just assume it will be called for now, is currently set for a June 2024 release, and it seems unlikely a delay will be needed due to the current strikes. 

The SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes are in full effect and, in the interim, most Hollywood movies and TV shows have been shut down due to union regulations. Though some have kept work going to waivers or more creative methods (as is the case with Gladiator 2). Given the circumstances, there’s been some uncertainty regarding the production statuses of some major titles. Bad Boys 4, which began filming months ago, is such a film that fans have had questions about. While its filming schedule has been uncertain, we now know whether Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s latest collaboration wrapped before strikes began. 

Sony Pictures finally confirmed last week that the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced film would make its way to the big screen during Father’s Day 2024. On its own, that news is sure to perk up fans, but Deadline also reports that the blockbuster managed to complete principal photography before the actors started hitting the picket line. That can be viewed as a significant win for the studio, considering the current state of the industry. The trade didn't divulge dditional production details, but one would assume that the buddy cop film is in post-production. 

Bad Boys 4 was officially announced in January 2023, with its two leading men sharing the news on their respective social media accounts. While that was enough to get franchise devotees hyped, even better news arrived the following month. Questlove revealed during the 2023 Grammy Awards that the project had already commenced principal photography. The musician was in the know, because he’d asked Will Smith to participate in a 50th anniversary tribute to hip-hop. Smith ultimately had to decline because he was working on the film, which was shot in both Atlanta and Miami.

Specific plot details have yet to be announced, and an official title has not been announced as of this writing, either. What we know about Bad Boys 4, though, is that it’ll see the Fresh Prince and Martin alums reprising their roles as Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett, respectively. It’ll also mark the returns of For Life alums like Vanessa Hudgens and Alexander Ludwig. Joining them will be franchise newcomers Tasha Smith, Eric Dane, Ioan Grufford and Rhea Seehorn. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah – the directors of the 2020 threequel – are also back to stir the ship.

Amid filming, Will Smith provided an update from the set, which was shared with CinemaCon attendees earlier this year. Smith has been relatively mum on the highly anticipated movie since, though he hasn’t been totally silent since the SAG-AFTRA strike began. Less than a week ago, Smith opened up about his acting journey in a sentiment post and showed love to up-and-coming performers. He also made it clear that he stands in solidarity with the members of his guild.

He, Martin Lawrence and their castmates won’t be able to publicly promote the movie until the strike is over. In the short run, that wouldn’t be too much of a problem for the studio, since the flick won’t be released until next summer. There’s no telling when more updates on the blockbuster will arrive. At this point though, I’d imagine that Sony is just pleased the blockbuster is in the can.

Bad Boys 4 will open in theaters on June 24 as part of the 2024 movie schedule. In the meantime, you can stream the previous three films using a Hulu subscription.

Jaime Foxx shocked the world when it was revealed that he suffered a medical complication that has led to him spending extended time in the hospital. His daughter was the one who shared the information about Foxx on social media, but she did not share any details about the medical complication in question. This came only days after he was seen on set filming his new movie Back in Action with the newly unretired Cameron Diaz. Now, an insider is providing an update on the Oscar winner’s health, and friends of his, including Martin Lawrence and Steve Harvey, are sharing support for his recovery. 

Little information is still known about what caused Foxx’s medical condition, however, the actor is reportedly recovering, his health is slowly improving, and many tests are being done. An inside source also gave a health update about Foxx to People, saying:

Thank goodness he is getting better despite a serious incident. Many of Foxx’s fans were surprised that he suffered a health problem, and they are not alone. The actor's friends also seemed shocked that he ended up in the hospital, especially considering the 55-year-old is in really good shape. Many of the Ray star's peers recently gathered to celebrate Martin Lawrence being a recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where ET asked them about Foxx’s condition. Steve Harvey expressed his own surprise, saying:

Martin Lawrence also sent his love to the Collateral star and his family while expressing his reverence for Foxx as an actor and a friend. He said:

Lastly, Tracy Morgan expressed his solidarity for Foxx, relating to the actor due to his own past health issues. Morgan was hospitalized after a vehicle collision back in 2014 that led to him being in a coma for 10 days. He sent his well-wishes to his friend, saying:

While a timeline for the actor's return to acting is still uncertain, everyone, including his closest friends are rooting for a speedy recovery and for the actor to return to the big screen soon. As previously mentioned, he was in the midst of filming his latest Netflix movie, Back in Action, when the incident happened, and little is known about how Foxx's emergency will affect the film’s release. Regardless, his health is the most important, and clearly, he has a lot of support from friends and family. 

You can catch Jaime Foxx in his latest film Day Shift, which is available now with a Netflix subscription. For more information on his other films, like Back in Action, coming to the streaming platform in the near future, make sure to consult our 2023 Netflix movie release schedule. 

Legacy sequels continue to be the rage in Hollywood, with Scream turning out stories for a new generation, Harrison Ford giving fans another exciting look at his famous archaeologist Indiana Jones, and persistent rumors of a Tron 3, possibly with Jared Leto. The full list of upcoming 2023 movies offers a healthy mix of new stories pulled from old franchises, which audiences claim to enjoy. One of the ones we’re waiting patiently for, however, is Bad Boys 4, which will continue the adventures of comedic duo Martin Lawrence and Will Smith – a partnership that goes all the way back to 1995. Given their lengthy friendship, it’s no surprise that Lawrence shouted out his “For Life” partner Smith during his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. But what did Lawrence have to say about the in-production sequel? 

These two have been getting along famously as of late. On Martin Lawrence’s birthday, Will Smith shouted out their powerful friendship on social media. The sequel has been beefing up its cast, including Bad Boys For Life returning star Vanessa Hudgens. And now Lawrence is spreading the hype to help get fans excited for a movie that… really should have been called Bad Boys 4 Life. I’ll never forgive Sony for missing that marketing opportunity. Opening up to ET Online, Lawrence said of the sequel:

I mean, what else is he going to say? But still, you can see how Bad Boys 4 directors Adil & Bilall have the potential to ramp up the action in their sequel, given how increased the stakes of the drama and action was in Bad Boys For Life. Car chases, helicopter chases, and a complicated backstory for Will Smith’s Mike Lowrey set the stage for a continuation, and once the sequel was officially confirmed, we all buckled down to figure out how the adventure might move forward. 

Take a look at this great shot of money Martin Lawrence getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Marcus Burnett lives, and is ready to kick some ass.

For a time, we feared that Will Smith’s embarrassing “slap” incident at the Academy Awards might have doomed the possibility of Bad Boys 4, tarnishing Smith’s legacy and halting a revitalized franchise in its tracks. We still don’t know for sure how audiences are going to respond to more Smith performances. His Emancipation went right to the AppleTV+ streaming service, but it came and went with hardly a ripple. Bad Boys 4 will need to make a bigger splash than that, so let’s hope Martin Lawrence is backing up his words, and bringing the heat for the anticipated sequel.

Hollywood is filled with notable bromances, including those of Ben Affleck & Matt Damon, Jason Momoa & Lenny Kravitz and Sir Patrick Stewart & Sir Ian McKellan. Another sweet celebrity bond, of course, is the one that of Bad Boys 4 co-stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The two have excellent chemistry on screen, but one could argue that they’re exchanges off camera are even more entertaining. Smith further exemplified their brotherly love when he reflected on their decades-long friendship in a sweet birthday shout-out for Lawrence.

Martin Lawrence turned 58 on Sunday, and he received copious amounts of love from his fans. Amid production on Bad Boys 4, Will Smith also took a moment to pay tribute to his friend and longtime scene partner using an Instagram post. The Oscar winner uploaded a sweet video that features various exchanges between him and Lawrence. Within the compilation are behind-the-scenes bloopers from their work on the action franchise and moments they’ve had while doing press. Check out the funny video for yourself:

There’s no better way to celebrate a birthday than by sharing some wonderful memories. I’d say that this clip perfectly encapsulates the relationship between the two men, at least what we’ve seen of it over the years, of course. They love to playfully rib each other from time to time but, of course, at the end of the day, it’s all in good fun. Will Smith actually penned a tribute to his pal a few years ago (and it’ll give you all the feels). 

In addition to that great video, it’s just been great to see so many people send their well wishes to Martin Lawrence on his special day. The social media savvy comedian took notice of all the kind words and responded with a post of his own, as he also did on his 57th b-day. You can see the latest message below:

58 really does look good on him, as he appears to be smiling, styling and profiling. This past year has been particularly special for him, as he reunited with his Martin co-stars and starte work on the aforementioned Bad Boys 4. On top of that, he’s set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this coming Thursday, April 20. Everything appears to be going well for the Big Momma’s House star and, quite frankly, you love to see it. 

As for his and Will Smith’s latest collaboration, Bad Boys 4 was officially confirmed this past January, with the Fresh Prince icon sharing the news in another Instagram video. That was exciting enough on its own but, just a few weeks later, it was revealed that Smith and Martin Lawrence had already begun filming. Plot details have yet to be revealed, though we do know For Life alum Vanessa Hudgens is returning and that Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah are back as the directors. Eric Dane has also apparently been cast as the main villain. 

Since filming only just started this month, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence still have a sizable amount of work ahead as do their colleagues. I’d wager that the cast and crew were still able to carve out some time to commemorate Lawrence’s birthday, though. Let’s wish the star a healthy and productive 58th year, as we look forward to him and Smith bringing their all to the highly anticipated action flick. 

Bad Boys fans can stream the first two movies using a Netflix subscription, while the third is available to Hulu subscription holders.

As one of the final movies to open before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down theaters for nearly a year, Bad Boys for Life made quite the box office splash in early 2020, making over $426 million worldwide off a reported $90 million budget. With a performance like that, it’s no wonder Sony greenlit Bad Boys 4, which will begin production in the coming months. Ahead of that, it’s been revealed that Bad Boys for Life alum Vanessa Hudgens will re-team with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence for this next installment.

Vanessa Hudgens starred in Bad Boys for Life as Kelly, the weapons expert for the Advanced Miami Metro Operations (A.M.M.O.), the team that Joe Panttoliano’s Captain Howard had working with Will Smith’s Mike Lowery and Martin Lawrence’s Marcus Burnett. Now Deadline reports Hudgens will be back in action for Bad Boys 4, making her the first actor to be confirmed besides the two leads. Alas, with plot details being kept under wraps, we have no idea yet the circumstances in which Mike and Marcus will reunite with Kelly, other than safely assuming it’ll revolve around taking down some bad guys.

Bad Boys 4 is now one of four movies that Vanessa Hudgens on the way, with the next one, a documentary that she co-executive produced called Dead Hot: Season of the Witch, arriving sometime later this year. Joining Bad Boys 4 as undated feature films are fellow Sony release Downtown Owl, which has already been shot, and French Girl, which began production last November. Hudgens also has a voice role in the upcoming animated series Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas, which Netflix subscribers will eventually be able to watch alongside Army of the Dead and Army of Thieves.

Speaking of Netflix, much of Vanessa Hudgens’ film appearances over the last several years hail from the streaming platform. In addition to leading the three Princess Switch movies, she also starred in Polar, The Knight Before Christmas and Tick, Tick… Boom!, the later of which Hudgens was proud of adapting with Lin-Manuel Miranda and Andrew Garfield. Hudgens’ notable projects from earlier in her career include the High School Musical movies (duh), Sucker Punch, Spring Breakers, Grease Live! and the short-lived Powerless.

Behind the scenes, Bad Boys for Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will reprise their helming duties for Bad Boys 4, making this their first movie since working on Batgirl, which was scrapped last August. The duo also executive produced and directed two episodes of the Marvel show Ms. Marvel, which can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription. Chris Bremner, who co-wrote Bad Boys for Life with Peter Craig and Joe Carnahan, has returned to pen Bad Boys 4.

Bad Boys 4 hasn’t been slotted on the theatrical calendar, but once that information comes in, along with any other major updates on its progress, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, get acquainted with the 2023 new movie releases left to come out this year.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence dropped some exciting news last week, as the two friends and co-stars reunited to confirm that Bad Boys 4 is in the works! The news is incredibly exciting, and fans have essentially been hoping for another since the franchise’s successful threequel dropped in 2020. So you can bet that there was plenty of hype once the stars divulged their plans via social media. Many are still on cloud nine following the stars’ massive announcement but, now, some bigger news regarding the upcoming production has come to light: the movie is already filming.

On Sunday night, Questlove attended the Grammy Awards, which featured a tribute celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. The musician was one of the folks who helped organize the performance, which featured the likes of LL Cool J, Flavor Flav and Queen Latifah. The in-house band leader of The Tonight Show teased what had been planned ahead of showtime and, while doing so, he confirmed that Will Smith was set to appear as well. However, that didn’t pan out, as Smith had another professional obligation to contend with: 

It goes without saying that QuestLove just dropped a major piece of news on Bad Boys 4. It goes without saying that this is a major step forward for the highly anticipated production, and it should get fans even more excited. Of course, the downside to the development is that it meant Will Smith – who once rapped under the moniker of The Fresh Prince – couldn’t participate in the Grammys’ tribute. Still, the Summer of Soul director admitted to Variety that he knew landing Smith would be “a shot in the dark,” as the actor is “always shooting movies.”

It was in May 2020 that producer Jerry Bruckheimer first indicated that Bad Boys 4 could happen at some point. The move made sense, especially since Bad Boys for Life dominated at the box office nearly three years ago. However, due to a certain event that occurred in 2022, some wondered if the film would still see the light of day. 

After Will Smith’s Oscars slap, many began to speculate that the film would be taken off the docket. Jerry Bruckheimer declined to address whether development would be paused due to Smith’s televised moment. Eventually, Sony chief Tom Rothman shot down that claim, calling reports of any cancellation “inaccurate.” Sometime after, Martin Lawrence also claimed the movie hadn’t been sunk and stated his belief that the franchise had, at least, one more installment in it. 

Well, the creative team’s plans are all coming together, it seems, and this bit of information from Questlove makes the film’s eventual release feel that much more real. It’s possible that fans could get some behind-the-scenes looks at the movie in the coming months, courtesy of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s social media accounts. I, for one, can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Detective Lieutenants Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. 

You can stream the first two installments in the Bad Boys franchise using a Netflix subscription, while the latest flick is available to Hulu subscription holders. And for details on movies arriving in the coming months, check out CinemaBlend’s schedule of 2023 new movie releases.

One might say that Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence have a few things in common. They’re both two of the most popular comedians to ever take to a stage, they have massive blockbuster franchises under their belts and both are widely loved by the public at large. There’s also another interesting piece of connective tissue between the two veteran stars. Their children, Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence, are currently dating and, with the way things seem to be going between the two, they could end up taking that sacred walk down the aisle someday. Lawrence has commented on the possibility of marriage before and dropped a funny take on who’s going to pay for a theoretical wedding. Now, Murphy has clapped back with a hilarious thought of his own.

Last summer, Martin Lawrence appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, during which he was asked about the budding relationship between his daughter and Eddie Murphy’s son. Lawrence stated, at the time, that he and Murphy respect their kids’ business and are simply letting them do their own thing. But when Kimmel asked who would cover the bill for a hypothetical wedding, the 57-year-old star said that he would “try to get Eddie to pay for it.” Well, Murphy is aware of that humorous assumption, but he disagrees with his Life co-star.

The 48 Hrs. icon addressed his colleague’s comments while giving his own interview with Etalk. In his own funny way, the comedian said that the Martin star would have to take care of the affair, should it come to pass. Also, based on his comments, the Saturday Night Live alum’s wallet is still recovering from another big occasion: 

It is indeed tradition for the bride’s father to take care of the wedding, so you can certainly understand Eddie Murphy’s position. Of course, we can’t say for sure whether either will even have to worry about a ceremony at this point, However, it’s definitely not out of the realm of possibility. Jasmin Lawrence and Eric Murphy confirmed their relationship in June 2021, and the two have seemed inseparable since. I don’t know what’s been more delightful to see: their cute Instagram posts or their dads’ comments on their relationship. Check out Murphy sharing his stance in the post down below:

One thing most of us can agree upon is that both men certainly have the means to pay for a major ceremony. As I mentioned earlier, they’re massive stars and are still getting plenty of work. Eddie Murphy is among those in the star-studded cast of You People, which has been trending high on Netflix since its premiere. Murphy was also convinced to return for Beverly Hills Cop 4, which he says he nearly died for. Speaking of police-related blockbusters, Martin Lawerence and Will Smith are reteaming for Bad Boys 4. So it goes without saying that both Murphy and Lawrence have massive paychecks on the horizon.

I’m curious to see whether the Murphy and Lawrence families ultimately become bonded, thanks to Eric and Jasmin. Jimmy Kimmel joked that because of their genes, the two could create some kind of comedy “super baby” that changes the entertainment landscape. That notion may be a bit far-fetched, but what isn’t is the idea that the two dads would probably be more than willing to pitch in for a wedding wherever needed. Despite that, I still wouldn’t mind some more hilarious matrimony-related back-and-forths between the stars while we wait to see if someone pops the question.

Be sure to grab a Netflix subscription so that you can check out Eddie Murphy in You People. Keep an eye on CinemaBlend’s schedule of 2023 new movie releases so that you’ll know what he and Lawrence have coming up.

No one could have predicted the wild box office success that was Bad Boys For Life. The long awaited legacy-quel wowed audiences and raked in a ton of money, just before the world closed down in 2020, and another follow-up has been anticipated ever since. While today’s news isn’t that Bad Boys 4 will be joining the 2023 new movie releases, this latest update is still very positive. Not only are Will Smith and Martin Lawrence coming back for a fourth entry, even they have come around to the fact that they messed up the last movie’s title.

Thanks to the same Instagram post, shared by both Smith and Lawrence, Bad Boys 4 has now been officially announced as happening. For starters, take a look at how Will Smith teased his return to the role of Detective Lieutenant Mike Lowery: 

Patience has truly paid off for the Bad Boys fandom, as it was looking a little shaky as to whether or not Will Smith’s Oscar slap would put the kibosh on this one for good. While we still have no idea what the title of this fourth picture will be, or whether or not directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah will be returning, it’s still good news to learn that things are progressing. 

Coming after last September’s rather ominous update from Jerry Bruckheimer, it appears that the people who were in charge of making the Bad Boys 4 decision have spoken. Though Bruckheimer’s involvement in the film probably helped seal the deal, as the producer as just scored his first Oscar nomination on behalf of the 2022 box office juggernaut Top Gun: Maverick.

Two hugely successful legacy-quels are now under Jerry Bruckheimer’s belt, another Bad Boys movie feels like a good call to make. That much is true when you go back and look at Bad Boys For Life’s ending, and the giant cliffhanger it left in its mid-credits reveal. Without spoilers, we’ll just say that things could get a bit more complicated for Mike Lowery, if things are leading to where we think they’re heading.

Bad Boys is one of those series that has continually stood as providing some of the best action movies to date. Regardless of how massively mistaken it was to name the third chapter Bad Boys For Life, at least Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have now acknowledged that fact. Which means that they’re probably hard at work trying to come up with one hell of a title to blow the world away with at a later date.

Or better still, maybe that title already exists, and it's being kept secret. No one's telling, and as far as the world is concerned, all we know is that Bad Boys 4 is happening. The rest is waiting patiently undercover, until the situation calls for something more to be revealed.