Washington [US], April 8: The action-packed film Bad Boys, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as two Miami detectives, has officially turned 30 years old. The first film in the beloved franchise hit theaters in 1995, and to celebrate this milestone, the 56-year-old Smith took to Instagram, sharing a joint post with his co-star Lawrence. The post featured behind-the-scenes photos from the set and a heartfelt message thanking fans.
The pictures included Smith and Lawrence smiling on set, alongside director Michael Bay, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and other cast members like Michael Imperioli, Joe Pantoliano, Tea Leoni, and Theresa Randle. “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 through the years,” Smith wrote in the caption.
The Bad Boys franchise began with the 1995 film and expanded into sequels Bad Boys II (2003), Bad Boys for Life (2020), and Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024). The franchise has earned over $1.2 billion worldwide, according to Collider.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer spoke with People at the Los Angeles premiere of Bad Boys: Ride or Die last year, reflecting on the dynamic between the two stars. “They’re creative and fun. They’re so great to work with. There’s never any arguments; we just have a blast going through the process, and it’s a long process to get these made,” he said.
Smith also reminisced about his experience filming the first installment, revealing how he was drawn in by the project. “I was hooked. ‘Let’s go! When can I read the script?’ Marty Mar’s face scrunched up. ‘Nawww – you can’t, Big Willie. The script’s not there yet. You just gotta trust me and commit,'” he shared in a post last year.