Will Smith is celebrating a major milestone! On April 7, 2025, the actor shared a heartfelt post on Instagram marking the 30th anniversary of the iconic Bad Boys franchise. The post was a joint tribute with his longtime co-star Martin Lawrence and the official Bad Boys franchise account.
In his post, Smith reflected on how the movie came to be, acknowledging the risk taken by producer Jerry Bruckheimer, producer Don Simpson, and director Michael Bay in choosing them for the roles. “30 years ago @jerrybruckheimer, Don Simpson, and @michaelbay took a chance on us and Bad Boys was born!! Grateful for all the love y’all have shown us thru the years ” Smith wrote.
Along with the emotional message, Smith shared behind-the-scenes photos from the original 1995 film, showing moments with Lawrence, 59, and other cast members, including Michael Imperioli, Joe Pantoliano, Téa Leoni, and Theresa Randle. He also included photos of director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who played key roles in the film’s creation.
Smith and Lawrence played the roles of Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Bennett in the action-packed franchise. After the 1995 box-office hit, the duo went on to star in three more films: Bad Boys II (2003), Bad Boys for Life (2020), and Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024). Across all four films, the franchise has grossed a staggering $1.2 billion worldwide.
In a previous post from June 2024, Smith shared a nostalgic moment about auditioning for the first Bad Boys movie. He recalled being 25 years old and how Lawrence’s sister persuaded him to audition for the role. Smith humorously shared how Lawrence convinced him to join the project despite the script not being ready, saying, “Let’s go! When can I read the script?” Lawrence responded, “Nawww – you can’t big Willie. The script’s not there yet. You just gotta trust me and commit.”
In 2024, Smith also opened up about the emotional experience of working with Lawrence, expressing his deep bond with his co-star. At the premiere of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, producer Jerry Bruckheimer described the duo as “creative and fun,” emphasizing how they bring a great energy to the set.
The Bad Boys franchise remains a beloved action series, and Smith’s heartfelt tribute highlights the lasting impact of the film and its unforgettable characters.
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