NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are reteaming for a fourth 鈥淏ad Boys鈥 movie, in one of Smith's most high-profile new projects since the slap.
Sony Pictures announced Tuesday that the untitled 鈥淏ad Boys鈥 sequel is in early pre-production. In , Smith filmed himself driving to Lawrence's house. Embracing at the door, Smith exclaims, 鈥淚t's about that time!鈥
Development on the 鈥淏ad Boys鈥 sequel, which follows 2020's 鈥淏ad Boys for Life,鈥 was reportedly put on hold after Smith hit Chris Rock at last March's Academy Awards. But last May, Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman disputed those reports.
鈥淭here weren鈥檛 any brakes to pump because the car wasn鈥檛 moving,鈥 said Rothman. 鈥淭hat was a very unfortunate thing that happened, and I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 really my place to comment, except to say that I鈥檝e known Will Smith for many years, and I know him to be a good person. That was an example of a very good person having a very bad moment, in front of the world. I believe his apology and regret is genuine, and I believe in forgiveness and redemption.鈥
Shortly before the pandemic shuttered theaters, 鈥淏ad Boys for Life鈥 was a , grossing $426 million worldwide. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is returning for the fourth film, as are 鈥淏ad Boys For Life鈥 directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah.