Despite the lingering cloud of the 2022 Oscars slap incident, Will Smith received a warm welcome from enthusiastic fans at the world premiere of Bad Boys: Ride or Die in Los Angeles. In his first major public appearance promoting the new film, the actor expressed profound gratitude for the “nothing but love” he continues feeling from moviegoers worldwide.
“Every time we step out together, it’s nothing but love,” Smith told Variety at the TCL Chinese Theatre event, gesturing to co-star Martin Lawrence. “I think the fans are ride or die also.”
The positive fan reception provided a stark contrast to the infamous March 2022 moment when Smith inexplicably struck Chris Rock on the Oscars stage after the comedian made a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The stunning altercation overshadowed Smith’s first Best Actor win later that night for King Richard.
However, at the Bad Boys premiere nearly 15 months later, Smith seemed relieved to bask in an outpouring of franchise affection rather than controversy. He singled out Sony Pictures Chief Tom Rothman for his steadfast support “when nobody was messing with me…That is my dude.”
Beyond simply weathering the personal storm, Smith recognizes the enduring appeal of the sleek action-comedy franchise is equally key to fans’ lasting devotion. He credits the “chemistry” between himself and Lawrence, along with the deft tonal balance of “big wild broad comedy” fused with hard-hitting action set pieces.
“There’s very few movies that can stretch as far as Bad Boys’ do,” Smith reflected. “I just think people need to laugh as hard as they laugh in this movie. People need the joy that comes from this.”
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If the third installment Ride or Die can indeed recapture that winning formula, it’s poised for major box office success. Early tracking suggests a potential $50-60 million domestic debut for the latest over-the-top Miami police romp when it hits theaters June 7th.
After the original 1995 buddy cop classic Bad Boys banked over $141 million and its 2003 sequel grossed $273 million globally, the 2020 installment Bad Boys for Life defied pandemic headwinds to gross an excellent $426 million worldwide. With its trademark explosive action and crackling comic chemistry fully intact, the franchise has shown no signs of slowing down nearly three decades after its inception.
And with impassioned supporters firmly back in Smith’s corner, the actor appears poised to leave behind “the slap” in favor of reveling in fan adulation for one of cinema’s most robustly crowd-pleasing franchises. As the “ride or die” faithful have demonstrated, a little on-screen mayhem and fun goes a long way to soothe past real-world controversies.
