An original Bad Boys franchise cast member has been replaced for Bad Boys 4. The buddy cop film series centers on detectives Mike Lowery (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) as they take on violent cartels in the Miami area. Originally helmed by legendary Hollywood action director Michael Bay, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah replaced the filmmaker on the third entry, Bad Boys for Life. Although receiving lackluster reviews from critics, each film became a box office success, earning over $840 million worldwide.
Per Variety, original franchise actor Theresa Randle was replaced by Tasha Smith for Bad Boys 4. Randle previously portrayed Marcus’ wife, Theresa Burnett, in Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, and Bad Boys for Life. Smith comes to the role with decades of experience in film and television, best known for her work in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?, Empire, and First Wives Club. No explanation has been given as to why Randle did not return.
What We Know About Bad Boys 4
Although Randle will not reprise her role as Marcus’ wife in Bad Boys 4, several other franchise cast members will return for the film series’ latest entry. Along with Smith and Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens will reprise Advanced Miami Metro Operations (AMMO) weapons expert Kelly, alongside Alexander Ludwig as AMMO tech specialist Dorn, and Paola Núñez as Captain Rita Secada, the head of AMMO. Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria star Eric Dane has been cast as Bad Boys 4‘s chief villain, with Fantastic Four‘s Reed Richards actor Ioan Gruffudd in an undisclosed role.
Plot details for Bad Boys 4 have yet to be divulged, leaving speculations about what the upcoming sequel could entail. With Bad Boys for Life revealing Mike conceived a son with Isabel Aretas (Kate del Castillo), his budding relationship with Armando (Jacob Scipio) may be at the crux of the new film’s narrative. The previous entry’s post-credit scene had Mike offer Armando a way out of prison through an opportunity to presumably work with AMMO in the future. With Marcus placing his family above all else in previous Bad Boys films, the upcoming installment sets up for Marcus to play a mentor figure to Mike as a relatively new father.
Filming on Bad Boys 4 began in April 2023 with Adil & Bilall back in the director’s chairs. Bad Boys for Life‘s scribe Chris Bremner has also returned to pen the screenplay. During his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony, Lawrence praised the upcoming Bad Boys film, stating it “has the chance to be the biggest one” yet. No release date for Bad Boys 4 has been revealed.
Source: Variety
