Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have waited over a decade to do a new ‘Bad Boys’ film, according to Will because he didn’t want to do something that would set the franchise back.
Well, it looks like good things come to those who wait! The third installment to the highly successful series ‘Bad Boys For Life‘ opened in theaters this weekend to EPIC numbers and made box office history.
via THR:
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s Bad Boys for Life — opening 17 years after the last installment in their franchise hit the big screen — zoomed to an estimated $68.1 million over the four-day Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, including $59.2 million for the three days. The film’s release marks the second-best showing ever for the holiday frame, and Sony’s biggest R-rated bow.
The action-comedy also wowed overseas, where it collected $37.3 million from 39 markets for a global debut of $107.3 million.
Bad Boys 3 continues Sony’s winning streak following Jumanji: The Next Level and best picture Oscar contenders Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Little Women. And there’s already movement ona Bad Boys 4 follow-up.
The movie’s audience was led by African-Americans (42 percent) and males (56 percent). Impressively, 58 percent of ticket buyers were 35 years old and younger, according to PostTrak. Bad Boys 3 cost $90 million to produce before marketing. Years in the making because of budget concerns, the R-rated pic was directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. It scored solid reviews and an A CinemaScore.
Bad Boys for Life — which has a shot at grossing well north of $160 million domestically by the end of its run — is a needed win for Smith, who is among the movie’s producers, following his big-budget miss Gemini Man.
We’re sure the numbers will continue to grow and final sales totals will likely increase as the long weekend comes to a close. Great film and well deserved! Congrats to Will and Martin!
