Bad Boys 4: are Will Smith and Martin Lawrence back for action sequel - possible release date, cast and plot

Will Smith's assault on Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, the slap that was heard around the world, brought the star's career to an abrupt halt. Since then he has appeared just once in a screen role, taking the lead role on the poorly received slavery biopic Emancipation.

Smith later apologised for the slap but was banned from all Academy events, including future Oscars ceremonies, for 10 years. His upcoming movies were affected, with Netflix film Fast and Loose put on hold following The Slap. His involvement in Bad Boys 4 was also thrown into doubt, but earlier this year both Smith and co-star Martin Lawrence confirmed that the film was going ahead.

The third sequel comes almost 30 years after the first Bad Boys film was released back in 1995. Since the announcement of the sequel several months ago, very little new information about the movie has come to light.

However, this week it was confirmed that shooting was taking place in Atlanta, Miami, and Mexico City, and the cast has been confirmed, with a new villain to feature. This is what ewe know about Bad Boys 4 so far:

Has Bad Boys 4 been confirmed?

Will Smith took to Instagram on 31 January to confirm that a fourth Bad Boys film is in the works, almost a year after he infamously slapped Chris Rock as the Oscars ceremony.

The slap disrupted Smith’s career and cast doubt over his upcoming projects - Netflix crime thriller Fast and Loose, which Smith was due to star in, was put on hold after the Oscars.

Sony had already confirmed Bad Boys 4 prior to last year’s Oscars but production was halted following the slap - Smith’s announcement confirms that the film will indeed go ahead and is now in pre-production.

In his Instagram video, Smith gets into his car and tells his fans: “Yo, I’ve got an announcement. Y’all better stop scrolling…I wish I was you, not knowing what I’m about to show me.”

He then arrives at his destination and knocks on the door of a house - Smith’s Bad Boys co-star Martin Lawrence opens the door and they both announce that Bad Boys 4 is going ahead and Lawrence shouts “It’s about that time”

What is Bad Boys 4 about?

The plot details of Bad Boys 4 has so far been kept under wraps, however it will take place after the events of Bad Boys for Life which saw Mike and Marcus take on a mother and son pair of drug lords.

At the end of the third film, the pair were put in charge of the AMMO team, and in the post-credits scene Mike visits Armando (the drug lord protégé) in prison and offers him a deal. Bad Boys 4 will likely see Mike and Markus take on a new drugs case with Ammo, and may see the return of Armando.

Who is in the Bad Boys 4 cast?

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will return as Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, the maverick Miami detectives. Since the release of Bad Boys for Life in 2020, Lawrence has starred in crime drama Mindcage alongside John Malkovich.

He is also due to star in and produce the upcoming comedy series Nehama about a father of five who pursues his dream of stand-up comedy after losing his wife. Smith’s recent roles, other than Emancipation, include his Oscar-winning performance in King Richard - he also worked as executive producer on action comedy series Kobra Kai.

It has not yet been confirmed whether Theresa Randle will return as Marcus’ wife Theresa Burnett, or if Jacob Scipio will reprise his role as Armando.

Also in the cast are:

• Eric Dane in an unkown villain role
• Alexander Ludwig as Dorn
• Vanessa Hudgens as Kelly
• Paola Núñez as Captain Rita Secada
• Tasha Smith as Theresa
• Melanie Liburd in an unknown role
• Ioan Gruffudd in an unknown role

Where can you watch the Bad Boys films?

Bad Boys and Bad Boys 2 are available to watch on Netflix and Sky Go now - they are also to rent or buy on Apple TV+. Amazon, and other streaming services. Bad Boys for Life is available to rent on Apple TV+, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, and the Sky Store.

When is the release date of Bad Boys 4?

A release date for the film has not yet been confirmed - as the movie is currently in pre-production it’s unlikely that it will be released in cinemas until next year at the earliest. Watch this space for updates on the release of Bad Boys 4.