Alleged Truth Behind Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’ Real Life Friendship Can Disappoint Bad Boys Fans

Martin Lawrence may exit Bad Boys franchise as insiders claim he’s tired of Will Smith’s intense energy despite recent box office success.

Turns out, being Bad Boys for life might have an expiration date.

While fans loved seeing Will Smith and Martin Lawrence reunite on screen, the off-screen vibe isn’t quite as friendly.

Insiders spill that Lawrence is quietly stepping away from the franchise because he has had enough of Smith’s over-the-top energy and intense personality.

As per Radar Online, the source said,

Martin just turned 60 and at this age..He’s not desperate for money or attention.

Plus, as good as the chemistry is between Martin and Will in these films, it’s not like they’re best friends in real life.

They’re just very different people and live life at a radically different tempo.

He’s enjoying life at his own pace and not in any rush to work with Will again, even though it’s basically the only film franchise Will has going right now

Even though Bad Boys: Ride or Die was a hit, both in theaters and on Netflix, Lawrence reportedly found filming exhausting.

Matching Smith’s pace on and off set isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

So while Sony’s eager to cash in on another sequel, Lawrence may be pumping the brakes.

Will Smith trolls Martin Lawrence with this post

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in Bad Boys: Ride or Die | Sony Pictures Releasing.

In April, Martin Lawrence hit the big 6-0, and his Bad Boys co-star Will Smith marked the occasion with some light-hearted birthday trolling on @willsmith/Instagram.

He shared a funny throwback of Lawrence dressed in costume, adding a cheeky caption that poked fun at his age.

The caption said,

Happy Bday Marty Mar!! You don’t look a day over 70 😉

But the birthday bash wasn’t the only celebration that month.

Just days earlier, the two also honored the 30th anniversary of the original Bad Boys movie, which first hit theaters in April 1995.

They took to social media with a nostalgic photo dump from the set, reliving the early days of their buddy-cop legacy.

Since their first ride in ’95, the duo has reunited for three sequels, with Bad Boys: Ride or Die dropping in May 2024.

Will Smith emotionally looks back on the Bad Boys legacy!

Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in Bad Boys II | Credits: Columbia Pictures.

April turned out to be a happening month for the Bad Boy fans because the franchise also turned 30, along with Lawrence turning 60.

And Will Smith rang in the Bad Boys 30th anniversary with jokes, behind-the-scenes gold, and a dose of nostalgia.

Teaming up with longtime co-star Martin Lawrence and the franchise’s official Instagram, Smith shared a carousel of throwback photos on @willsmith/IG from the OG 1995 film that kicked off the buddy-cop madness.

There were snaps of the iconic duo cheesing on set, candid moments with director Michael Bay and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and castmates like Téa Leoni and Joe Pantoliano.

The caption said,

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 

In a previous post, he also reflected on being just 25 when it all started, crediting Martin Lawrence and his sister for roping him into the role of Mike Lowrey before a script even existed.

And flash-forward to 2024, and the pair dropped their fourth film in the franchise, Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Movie
Net Gross (world wide)
Will Smith’s Salary (reported)
Martin Lawrence’s salary (reported)

Bad Boys (1995)
$141.4 million
$2 million
$6 million

Bad Boys II (2003)
$273.3 million
$20 million
$20 million

Bad Boys for Life (2020)
$426.5 million
$17 million
$6 million

Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
$404.6 million
$25 million
between $6 million and $15 million

All Bad Boys movies are now available to rent on Apple TV.