The upcoming fourth installment in the "Bad Boys" movie franchise. - Is Will Smith making a comeback?
Is this period of time familiar to us again? Two years after the Oscar event when Will Smith (55) slapped Chris Rock (59) on stage, it appears the film community has forgiven Smith. His new movie "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" has had a solid kick off at various cinemas. This is part four of the lovable friends action series with Martin Lawrence (59) and is Smith's first triumph since the Oscar scandal in 2022.
In North America, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" raked in $56 million over the first weekend. Globally, this action-comedy accumulated $104.6 million. Although not a remarkable outcome, it nevertheless serves as a great sign. The third part of this predecessor "Bad Boys for Life" began with $62.5 million in 2020 - even in the midst of a pandemic's chaos.
A Decent Start in an Underachieving 2024
"Bad Boys: Ride or Die" could have potentially aided Will Smith's career and saved the movie year of 2024. Dreadful blockbusters surfaced, such as "Argylle", "Madame Web", and "The Fall Guy". The latest one, "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga", was catastrophic, achieving a low earnings of only $25.6 million at opening. Therefore, an auspicious start like that of "Bad Boys 4" makes this movie's performance optimal.
Presently, the cinema has overcome COVID, but then came a surprising downturn in 2024. Compared to the same time in 2023, the number of tickets sold in 2024 plummeted by 26%.
How Durable is Will Smith's Revival?
The success of "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" may be capable of reviving Smith's flourishing career. His introduction to mainstream movies came through the first part which premiered in 1995, after a thriving career as a rapper and TV star("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"). Back then, Smith was one of the most respected celebrities in Hollywood. From "Independence Day" to "Men in Black", Smith's work included a sequence of profitable summer blockbusters.
Will Smith's first movie after the Oscar incidence, "Emancipation", managed to generate less buzz when it was projected in cinemas towards the end of 2022. The coming times will be crucial for Smith, as his coming movie doesn't belong to the controversial series that took on the top spots in the 90s.
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In the cinematic year of 2024, Martin Lawrence rejoined Will Smith in "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," marking Smith's return to the box office after the Oscar incident. This film, the fourth in the "Bad Boys" series, outperformed other disappointing releases such as "Argylle," "Madame Web," and "The Fall Guy." Despite the USD downturn due to the Coronavirus, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" managed to gross $56 million in North America and $104.6 million globally.
The theatrical release of "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" faced a stark contrast, earning only $25.6 million, underscoring the Cinema year's struggles with blockbuster flops. The success of "Bad Boys 4" reminds us of the golden days of Will Smith's career, known for summer blockbusters like "Bad Boys," "Independence Day," and "Men in Black," which all featured the higher earning potential of the US dollar.
With Chris Rock hosting the 2024 Oscars, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence appeared as a surprise guest, potentially setting the stage for "Bad Boys 4" sequels. Will Smith is also rumored to star in "Bad Boys 5" titled "Bad Boys: Ride or Die Again," marking the potential revival of the franchise and his comeback to the silver screen.
