Plans for a third Bad Boys have been brewing for a lot of years, but the only one who seemed really excited about it was Martin Lawrence. His co-star Will Smith and director Michael Bay have been less vocal, and Sony wasn't in a hurry to move the project forward, either. When Joe Carnahan (The Grey) entered talks to write and possibly direct the film last month, it was the first real step taken to make it a reality, and that's also why it was surprising when Sony later announced release dates for two sequels rather than one. But would they be so ambitious if one of the key stars decides not to return?
In THR's piece about Sony's upcoming slate of films, they suggest that Will Smith isn't confirmed to star in any Bad Boys sequels. He definitely "will be involved", but the possibility exists that he'll only produce. He could easily produce and reprise his role as Detective Mike Lowrey, but as of now there's no deal in place. With it clearly looking as if Bay won't direct, perhaps Smith is less interested in working with a different director.
It's hard to fathom a Bad Boys movie without the combo of Smith and Lawrence, and Sony is probably going to do whatever it takes to lure him back in a starring role. Lately it's been tough to get a grasp on what Smith will do next, but one thing he seems to have little interest in are sequels. He didn't sound excited about the prospect of Men in Black 4, and he isn't coming back for Independent Day: Resurgence, either.
Bad Boys 3 is locked for February 17, 2017, while Bad Boys 4 opens July 3, 2019
