Bad Boys (franchise)

Summary

Bad Boys is a series of American buddy cop action comedy films starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as two detectives in the Miami Police Department, Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. The series was created by George Gallo. Joe Pantoliano and Theresa Randle also appear in all three films. Michael Bay directed the first two films and Adil & Bilall took over directional duties for the third. Gabrielle Union, who starred in the second installment, later starred alongside Jessica Alba in a spin-off television series, L.A.'s Finest.

Bad Boys
Created byGeorge Gallo
Original workBad Boys
OwnerColumbia Pictures (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Years1995–present
Films and television
Film(s)
Television seriesL.A.'s Finest (2019–2020)
Games
Video game(s)Bad Boys: Miami Takedown (2004)
Audio
Soundtrack(s)

The series has grossed over $840 million worldwide. The first film received mixed reviews from critics, the second was unfavorably received and the third had a generally positive reception.

Films edit

Bad Boys (1995) edit

Detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett have 72 hours to find $100 million worth of heroin before Internal Affairs shuts them down. Lowrey becomes more involved after a friend is murdered by the drug dealers. Matters become complicated when Lowrey and Burnett have to switch places to convince a witness of the murder to cooperate.

Principal photography began on June 27 in downtown Miami and wrapped August 31, 1994.

Bad Boys 2 (2003) edit

Mike and Marcus head up a task force investigating the flow of ecstasy into Miami. Their search leads to a dangerous kingpin Johnny Tapia, whose plan to control the city's drug traffic has touched off an underground war. Meanwhile, Mike and Syd, Marcus's sister are in a secret relationship.

Bad Boys for Life (2020) edit

In June 2008, Michael Bay stated that he may direct Bad Boys for Life, but that the greatest obstacle to the potential sequel would be the cost, as he and Will Smith demand some of the highest salaries in the film industry.[1] By August 2009, Columbia Pictures had hired Peter Craig to write the script for Bad Boys III.[2] In February 2011, Martin Lawrence reiterated that the film was in development.[3] In June 2014, Jerry Bruckheimer announced that screenwriter David Guggenheim was working on the storyline for the sequel.[4] Two months later, Lawrence said a script had been written and parts had been cast.[5] By June 2015, director Joe Carnahan was in early talks to write and possibly direct the film.[6] Two months later, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that Bad Boys III would be released on February 17, 2017. On March 4, 2016, the film was pushed to June 2, 2017.[7] Producers had planned to begin production in early 2017.[8]

On August 11, 2016, the film was pushed back once again to January 12, 2018, to avoid box office competition with the upcoming DC Comics film Wonder Woman, and retitled Bad Boys for Life.[citation needed] Lawrence revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that filming may start in March 2017.[9] On March 7, 2017, Carnahan left the film due to scheduling conflicts,[10] and in August 2017 Sony removed the film from their release schedule.[11] In August 2017, Lawrence said that he doubted that the film would ever be made.[12] During an appearance on Australian breakfast show Sunrise on January 15, 2018, Will Smith told hosts Samantha Armytage and David Koch that a third film was coming "very soon".[13] On January 30, 2018, it was announced that Sony Pictures were in negotiations with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah to direct the upcoming third entry in the Bad Boys franchise titled Bad Boys for Life with a possible production date in August, 2018.[14] Sony is reportedly gearing up for the long-awaited third installment to begin filming in November 2018 and wrap in March 2019.[15][16]

In November 2018, Martin Lawrence officially revealed via Instagram that he and co-star Will Smith would return for a sequel.[17] Joe Pantoliano is also set to reprise his role as Captain Howard.[18] Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig and Charles Melton were announced in the cast on December 20, 2018.[19] Jacob Scipio and Paola Nuñez were announced in the cast on December 21, 2018.[20] Filming began on January 7, 2019.[21][22]

Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) edit

In January 2020, a fourth film entered development, with Chris Bremner serving as screenwriter. Smith and Lawrence will reprise their roles from the previous three movies.[23] In April 2022, production for the film was reportedly halted due to the incident with Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony and the subsequent investigation.[24] In February 2023, Smith announced that the fourth film was in pre-production.[25] That same month, it was reported by musician/disc jockey Questlove that Smith had to drop out of a planned surprise appearance at the 65th Grammy Awards because filming for the fourth Bad Boys film had started earlier that week.[26] Principal photography began on April 3, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.[27] The film is due to be released in the United States on June 7, 2024.[28]

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Story by Producer(s)
Bad Boys April 7, 1995 (1995-04-07) Michael Bay Jim Mulholland, Michael Barrie & Doug Richardson George Gallo Don Simpson & Jerry Bruckheimer
Bad Boys II July 18, 2003 (2003-07-18) Ron Shelton & Jerry Stahl Ron Shelton, Cormac Wibberley & Marianne Wibberley Jerry Bruckheimer
Bad Boys for Life January 17, 2020 (2020-01-17) Adil & Bilall Peter Craig, Joe Carnahan & Chris Bremner Peter Craig & Joe Carnahan Will Smith, Doug Belgrad & Jerry Bruckheimer
Bad Boys: Ride or Die June 7, 2024 (2024-06-07)[28] Chris Bremner

Television edit

Series Season Episodes First released Last released Showrunner(s) Network(s)
L.A.'s Finest 1 13 May 13, 2019 June 17, 2019 Brandon Sonnier & Brandon Margolis Charter Spectrum
2 13 September 9, 2020

L.A.'s Finest (2019–2020) edit

In October 2017, a spinoff television series centered on Gabrielle Union's character, was announced to be in development by Brandon Margolis and Brandon Sonnier.[29] Later that month NBC ordered the pilot episode of the series.[30] By March 2018, Jessica Alba was cast as the co-star with Gabrielle Union.[31] In addition to Union, John Salley will also reprise his role as Fletcher, a computer hacker who helps Mike and Marcus in the film series.[32][33] The following month, the title of the series was revealed as LA's Finest,[34] with Jerry Bruckheimer serving as executive producer for the series. Later that month, NBC passed on the pilot, and the show was shopped around to other networks.[35] NBC's boss, Bob Greenblatt, said: "These are all tough calls. We did have an embarrassment of riches. And when we laid out the schedule and the calendar all season...it was a show that didn't fit in the grand scheme of it."[36]

That same month, it was revealed that Sony Pictures Television, was negotiating with Charter Communications about picking up the series.[37] By June 2018, Canada's Bell Media picked it up for 13 episodes.[38] Charter gave its series order on June 26, intent on making it Spectrum's first original series.[39] In June 2019, the series was renewed for the second season.

Cast and crew edit

Cast edit

List indicator(s)

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in the franchise.

  • An empty, dark grey cell indicates the character was not in the film, or that the character's official presence has not yet been confirmed.
  •  C indicates a cameo role.
  •  G indicates a guest appearance in the season.
  •  M indicates an appearance in onscreen movie footage.
  •  R indicates a recurring role in the season.
  •  Y indicates a younger version of the character.
Characters Films Television series
Bad Boys Bad Boys II Bad Boys for Life Bad Boys: Ride or Die L.A.'s Finest
1995 2003 2020 2024 2019-2020
Detective Sergeant / Lieutenant
Marcus Miles Burnett I
Martin Lawrence Krystian Alexander LyttleY
Detective Sergeant / Lieutenant
Michael Eugene “Mike” Lowrey
Will Smith
Theresa Burnett Theresa Randle Tasha Smith
Fletcher John Salley John Salley John SalleyR
Captain Conrad Howard Joe Pantoliano[40]
Megan Burnett Tiffany Samuels Bianca Bethune TBA
James Burnett Cory Hodges Cory HodgesP
Quincy Burnett Scott Cumberbatch Scott CumberbatchP
Julie Mott Téa Leoni
Fouchet Tchéky Karyo
Detective Sanchez Nestor Serrano
Captain Alison Sinclair Marg Helgenberger
Staff Sergeant Reggie Norman Dennis Greene Jeremy BatisteG
Special Agent / Detective Lieutenant
Sydney "Syd" Burnett
Gabrielle Union Mentioned TBA Gabrielle UnionM
Kyrie McalpinY
Car Driver / Wedding MC Michael BayC
Hector Juan Carlos "Johnny" Tapia Jordi Mollà
Alexei Peter Stormare
Roberto Jon Seda
Floyd Poteet Michael Shannon
Secret Agent Armando Armas Lowrey Jacob Scipio
AMMO Captain Rita Secada Paola Núñez
Kelly Vanessa Hudgens
Dorn Alexander Ludwig
Rafe Charles Melton TBA
Isabel Aretas Kate del Castillo
Lorenzo 'Zway-Lo' Rodríguez Nicky Jam
Manny the Butcher DJ Khaled
Joseph Burnett-Vaughn Mentioned TBA Ernie HudsonM
Banker Eric Dane
TBA Ioan Gruffudd
Melanie Liburd
Tiffany Haddish
Rhea Seehorn
Joyner Lucas
Quinn Hemphill
Detective Lieutenant
Dolores "Nancy" McKenna (née Perez)
Jessica AlbaM
Veronica Diaz CarranzaY
The Bens Detective Lieutenant
Benjamin "Ben" Baines
Duane MartinM
Detective Lieutenant
Benjamin "Ben" Walker
Zach GilfordM
Brayden ScottY
Katherine "Kat" Vaughn-Miller Tamala JonesR
Bishop Duvall Jake BuseyR
Isabel "Izzy" McKenna Sophie ReynoldsM
Dr. Patrick McKenna Ryan McPartlinM
Dante Sherman Barry SloaneR
Tyler PerezY
Raymond "Ray" Sherman Zach McGowanG
Dylan McNamaraY

Additional crew edit

Occupation Films
Bad Boys Bad Boys II Bad Boys for Life Bad Boys: Ride or Die
1995 2003 2020 2024
Composer Mark Mancina Trevor Rabin Lorne Balfe
Director of photography Howard Atherton Amir Mokri Robrecht Heyvaert
Editor(s) Christian Wagner Roger Barton
Mark Goldblatt
Thomas A. Muldoon
Dan Lebental
Peter McNulty
TBA
Production companies Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films 2.0 Entertainment
Overbrook Entertainment
Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
2.0 Entertainment
Westbrook Studios
Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date April 7, 1995 (1995-04-07) July 18, 2003 (2003-07-18) January 17, 2020 (2020-01-17) June 7, 2024 (2024-06-07)
Running time 119 minutes 147 minutes 124 minutes TBA

Reception edit

Box office performance edit

Film Release date Box office gross Box office ranking Budget Ref.
North America Other territories Worldwide All time North America All time worldwide
Bad Boys April 7, 1995 $65.807.024 $75.600.000 $141.407.024 #1,110 (#742(A)) #246 (#971(A)) $19 million [41][42]
Bad Boys II July 18, 2003 $138.608.444 $134.731.112 $273.339.556 #429 (#168(A)) #551 (#524(A)) $130 million [43]
Bad Boys for Life January 17, 2020 $206.305.244 $220.200.000 $426.505.244 #207 #281 $90 million [44]
Total $410,720,712 $430,531,112 $841,251,824 $239 million
List indicator(s)
  • (A) indicates the adjusted totals based on current ticket prices (calculated by Box Office Mojo).

Critical and audience response edit

Title Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
Bad Boys 43% (63 reviews)[45] 41 (24 reviews)[46] A[47]
Bad Boys II 23% (183 reviews)[48] 38 (34 reviews)[49] A[47]
Bad Boys for Life 77% (257 reviews)[50] 59 (46 reviews)[51] A[47]
L.A.'s Finest (season 1–2) 24% (17 reviews)[52] 46 (6 reviews)[53]

Music edit

Soundtracks edit

Title U.S. release date Length Performed by Label
Bad Boys (Music from the Motion Picture) March 21, 1995 (1995-03-21) 1:00:01 Various Artists Work
Bad Boys II (The Soundtrack) July 15, 2003 (2003-07-15) 59:10 Bad Boy
Universal
Bad Boys (Original Score from the Motion Picture) September 26, 2007 (2007-09-26) 70:32 Mark Mancina La-La Land
Bad Boys for Life (The Soundtrack) January 17, 2020 (2020-01-17) 30:56 Various Artists We the Best
Epic
Bad Boys for Life (Original Motion Picture Score) January 24, 2020 (2020-01-24) 39:48 Lorne Balfe Sony Classical
LA' s Finest: Season Two (Original Score from the Television Series)[54] September 11, 2020 (2020-09-11) 52:23 Jeff Cardoni Madison Gate
LA' s Finest: Season One (Original Score from the Television Series)[55] September 25, 2020 (2020-09-25) 44:18 Raphael Saadiq
Laura Karpman

Singles edit

Title U.S. release date Length Artist(s) Label Film
"La-La-La" April 29, 2003 (2003-04-29) 3:54 Jay-Z Bad Boy
Universal
Roc-A-Fella
Def Jam
Bad Boys II
"Shake Ya Tailfeather" June 29, 2003 (2003-06-29) 4:53 Nelly, P. Diddy and Murphy Lee Bad Boy
Universal
"Show Me Your Soul" December 15, 2003 (2003-12-15) 5:20 P. Diddy, Lenny Kravitz, Pharrell Williams and Loon
"Ritmo" October 11, 2019 (2019-10-11) 3:42 Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin Epic Bad Boys for Life
"Muévelo" January 8, 2020 (2020-01-08) 3:15 Nicky Jam and Daddy Yankee

Video games edit

Bad Boys: Miami Takedown, is a video game released in 2004 based on the sequel Bad Boys II. It was released in early 2004 after the film's DVD and VHS release.

References edit

  1. ^ "Will Smith Begs Michael Bay To Make 'Bad Boys 3'". Archived from the original on February 12, 2010.
  2. ^ "'Bad Boys 3′ In Development". Thefilmstage.com. 2009-08-31. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
  3. ^ The Mo'Nique Show: Martin Lawrence. Archived from the original (Flash Video) on April 5, 2011.
  4. ^ Reynolds, Simon (2014-06-18). "Jerry Bruckheimer trying to get Michael Bay back for Bad Boys 3". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
  5. ^ Martin Lawrence (2014-08-14). "Martin Lawrence Announces "Bad Boys 3" @". Teamcoco.com. Retrieved 2015-05-09.
  6. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (10 June 2015). "Joe Carnahan Circles 'Bad Boys 3' for Sony". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 9 March 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  7. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 4, 2016). "Sony Flush With 2017 Franchises With 'The Dark Tower', 'Bad Boys 3', Barbie & Maybe 'MIB23' Slotted". Deadline Hollywood.
  8. ^ Kroll, Justin (29 July 2016). "'Bad Boys 3' Director Joe Carnahan to Write 'Uncharted' Adaptation for Sony (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.com.
  9. ^ Comicbook, Joe (October 7, 2016). "Martin Lawrence Says Bad Boys 3 May Start Filming In March". Comicbook.com.
  10. ^ "Director Joe Carnahan Exits 'Bad Boys 3' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2017.
  11. ^ "Sony Dates 'Silver And Black', 'Sicario 2'; Moves 'Holmes And Watson', 'Bad Boys 3' Unset & More". Deadline Hollywood. August 11, 2017.
  12. ^ "Martin Lawrence Says Bad Boys III Probably Won't Happen". ComingSoon.net. August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  13. ^ "Bad Boys 3 "very very likely"". thewest.com.au. January 19, 2018. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  14. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 30, 2018). "'Bad Boys For Life' Eyes August Start With 'Black' Helmers Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  15. ^ Cooper Hood (August 18, 2018). "Will Smith To Film Bad Boys 3 & Bright 2 Before Suicide Squad 2". Screen Rant.
  16. ^ "UPDATE: Will Smith Sets Production Schedules For 'Bad Boys For Life' and 'Bright 2' As 'Suicide Squad 2' Is Delayed – GWW". thegww.com. 18 August 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  17. ^ "Will Smith And Martin Lawrence Will Return For Bad Boys 3". www.fortressofsolitude.co.za. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  18. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (5 December 2018). "Joe Pantoliano To Return For Sony's 'Bad Boys For Life' Sequel".
  19. ^ "'Bad Boys' Sequel Adds Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig and 'Riverdale's' Charles Melton (Exclusive)". Variety. 20 December 2018. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
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  24. ^ Lund, Anthony. "Bad Boys 4 Production Reportedly Paused Following Will Smith Slap". Movie Web. Retrieved 9 April 2022.
  25. ^ Jackson, Angelique (2023-01-31). "Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Announce Fourth 'Bad Boys' частина". Variety. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  26. ^ Drum, Nicole (February 5, 2023). "Will Smith Drops Out of Surprise Appearance at Grammy Awards". ComicBook. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
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  28. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (2024-02-26). "'Bad Boys 4' Moves In On 'The Crow' During Early June". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  29. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (26 October 2017). "'Bad Boys' Spinoff TV Series Starring Gabrielle Union In the Works". Deadline Hollywood.
  30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 31, 2017). "'Bad Boys' TV Spinoff Starring Gabrielle Union Lands At NBC With Big Commitment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (2 March 2018). "Jessica Alba To Star In NBC's Gabrielle Union 'Bad Boys' Offshoot Pilot". Deadline.com. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  32. ^ "John Salley on Instagram: "Selfies 📷 @jessicaalba @gabunion"". Instagram. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
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  35. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 11, 2018). "'Magnum P.I.', 'God Friended Me' & 'The Red Line' Dramas Get CBS Series Orders". Deadline Hollywood.
  36. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (13 May 2018). "'LA's Finest': NBC Boss On Decision Not To Pick Up 'Bad Boys' Offshoot To Series". Deadline.com. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
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  40. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 26, 2024). "'Bad Boys 4' Title Unveiled In First Trailer As Will Smith & Martin Lawrence Return To Miami – Watch". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
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  51. ^ "Bad Boys for Life Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  52. ^ "L.A.'s Finest: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes.
  53. ^ "L.A.'s Finest: Season 1". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  54. ^ "'LA's Finest' Season 2 Soundtrack Album Details". Film Music Reporter. September 8, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  55. ^ "Score Album for 'L.A.'s Finest' Season 1 to Be Released". Film Music Reporter. September 24, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2024.

External links edit

  •   Quotations related to Bad Boys (1995 film) at Wikiquote