Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back in "Bad Boys: Ride or Die"

June 10, 2024

Courtesy: SONY

Will Smith is not cancelled; his star power remains unscathed, and we all breathe a collective sigh of relief. That was the overwhelming consensus opined by many when the fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise smashed expectations with a $56 million domestic opening on June 7. The last time a domestic opening delivered such numbers for an R-rated movie was not since "Oppenheimer" last July.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence return as Miami's prominent detectives in "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," produced by Sony Pictures. The movie follows the duo's quest to clear their late captain's name after being charged with conspiracy. It's a sequel to the successful "Bad Boys" trilogy and is directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who also directed the third installment. The cast includes Joe Pantoliano, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Jacob Scipio in supporting roles.

We all remember the incident: it was the infamous slap heard around the world. In case you need a refresher, during the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Jada Smith's shaved head. Onlookers watched in shocked silence as Smith returned to his seat and continued shouting profanities at Rock. Many considered the joke to be in poor taste as Ms. Smith suffers from alopecia. Later in the broadcast, Smith apologized during his acceptance speech for Best Actor in his performance as "Richard Williams" in King Richard. The next day, he apologized again to Rock and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences through social media. He also terminated his Academy membership on April 1, facing potential expulsion, and was banned from attending AMPAS events for 10 years.

Despite the incident, the public's ongoing support for Smith proves he remains a popular and successful actor. The recent blockbuster success of "Bad Boys 4" indicates that people still support Will Smith and will continue to watch his movies. Smith's career is defined by a series of box office hits, making him the only actor with eight consecutive films grossing over $100 million at the domestic box office. These films include Men in Black II, Bad Boys II, I, Robot, Shark Tale, Hitch, The Pursuit of Happiness, I Am Legend, and Hancock.

The movie achieved success not just in the domestic market but also internationally, earning $104.6 million. The film's success is attributed to the extensive promotional campaign during which both Smith and Lawrence promoted the movie in major cities worldwide, including Dubai, Madrid, Berlin, Amsterdam, and Brussels. Sony's marketing strategy, which involved collaborations, but not limited to the NBA, UFC, and MLB, and strategic national appearances and promotional cameos on various platforms, have proven to be a resounding success.

The movie reportedly had a budget of $100 million and has effortlessly surpassed that figure. The film marks the sixth-highest domestic opening of Smith's career and the 8th No. 1 domestic opening for Lawrence. This is a clear testament to the movie's undeniable appeal and the public's unwavering support of Will Smith and the Bad Boys franchise.

Watch "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" in theaters now.