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Martin Lawrence recently spoke to MTV recently about DEATH AT A FUNERAL, and the subject of a possible BAD BOYS III came up. The first BAD BOYS came out in 1995, and became a hit for both Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, as well as (at that time) relatively new director Michael Bay. Some would even argue it was that film that made Will Smith an action star, though INDEPENDENCE DAY solidified his superstar box office status. In 2003 both actors returned to their buddy cop roles, and Michael Bay returned to the director chair, though despite a much bigger budget and lengthier running time, many found the sequel to be loud self-indulgent letdown. Despite that, it made a crapload of money. When asked about a possible BAD BOYS III, Lawrence made it sound like things may be very close to happening for a third installment of the franchise. The following is directly quoted from Lawrence:
“It’s real realistic because Will, you know while I was filming DEATH AT A FUNERAL, Will came down and saw me and we talked about BAD BOYS III. So you know, anytime you can get Big Willie to come out and talk about doing a third installment of a hot movie like BAD BOYS, you know you gotta take notice. I met with Michael Bay and Michael Bay said he’s on board, so it’s real. We’re just waiting for Jerry Bruckheimer to let us know when it’s really real.”
I loved the first BAD BOYS… loved it. Granted, it’s a somewhat cheesy and formulaic buddy cop action flick, but Smith and Lawrence worked well together, and Bay was being kept to a tight budget and respectable runtime. It’s a fun and exciting flick, and easily one of the more entertaining and satisfying action films of the 1990’s. Now BAD BOYS II wasn’t completely awful, but it was indeed far from great. Something was seriously missing in the sequel, and the extra dollars on the screen didn’t make up for the less-than-perfect screenplay. Sometimes throwing more money at a franchise can hurt the magic it had to begin with. I will say the idea of a third film isn’t completely unusual, and in some ways could be a chance for redemption for all involved in the sequel. Bay needs to concentrate more on the relationship of the two leads, and really work on their chemistry together, instead of just blowing up cars and buildings. Sure, that stuff is cool and all, but BAD BOYS was fun because the two leads were fun together. Bring back the fun, and you could have a great third installment. Heck, maybe even bring back Tea Leoni, who was (in my opinion) a great part of the first film. What are your thoughts? Tell us in the comments below.
Source: MTV via CinemaBlend
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
