For nearly three electrifying decades, the action-packed buddy comedy franchise Bad Boys has kept audiences all across the world laughing and wildly entertained, with its sensational stars, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, making the ultimate Hollywood dream team. The epic series made its dazzling debut back in 1995, with the original blockbuster hit being helmed by Michael Bay, a then up-and-comer who would go on to dominate the industry with hits like Armageddon and the enduring Transformers films.
Bay directed both Bad Boys and its 2003 sequel Bad Boys II before eventually passing the torch to filmmaking duo Adil & Bilall for the two follow-up sequels, and though he may not have been behind the camera, he did appear in both rip-roaring flicks. The prominent director has made a cameo in three of the four franchise installments, though even eagle-eyed fans may have missed Bay’s most recent appearance in the 2024 smash hit Bad Boys: Ride or Die; let’s explore Michael Bay’s hidden cameo.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is the fourth installment in the action-comedy film series starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The series centers on hard-boiled Miami detectives Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett, who take on dangerous drug kingpins and thwart dangerous schemes as they attempt to stop the circulation of illicit drugs in their city. This time, Miami’s finest are the ones on the run.
- Release Date
- June 7, 2024
- Cast
- Will Smith , Martin Lawrence , Vanessa Hudgens , Alexander Ludwig , Paola Núñez , Eric Dane , Ioan Gruffudd , Jacob Scipio , Melanie Liburd , Tasha Smith , Rhea Seehorn , Tiffany Haddish , Joe Pantoliano , dj khaled , John Salley , Bianca Bethune , Dennis Greene , Quinn Hemphill , Derek Russo , Karter Reese Newsome , Levy Tran , Jay DeVon Johnson , Jeff J.J. Authors , Nicholas Verdi , Steven Sean Garland , Jerri Tubbs , Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz , Enoch King
Michael Bay’s History with the Bad Boys Franchise
Known for his fondness for big-budget productions, rip-roaring explosions, and sleek stylistic visuals, Michael Bay showed off his distinct filmmaking approach when he made his directorial debut with 1995’s Bad Boys, the first entry in the fan-favorite franchise. After finding success shooting music videos and commercials in the early ’90s, Bay attracted the attention of producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, who reached out to the aspiring director to helm the action comedy, taking to the streets of Miami to film the project.
Bad Boys went on to become a summer blockbuster hit and grossed $141 million against a $19 million budget, and despite garnering a mixed-bag response from critics, it dazzled moviegoers all across the world while successfully helping lead star Will Smith transition from being a TV star to a Hollywood leading man. The film’s financial success led to a strong partnership between Bay and Bruckheimer and helped pave the way for the follow-up sequel eight years later, 2003’s Bad Boys II.
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Much like its predecessor, Bad Boys II didn’t invoke a warm and fuzzy response from reviewers, but it did deliver for excited fans, earning an A CinemaScore and financially outperforming the original and raking in over $273 million. Though Bay did not return 17 years later for the long-awaited Bad Boys for Life, instead passing the directorial torch to duo Adil & Bilall, the prominent filmmaker did show up in a delightfully unexpected way, making a surprise cameo and continuing his tradition of appearing in the franchise.
The Director Pays Tribute to Fan-Favorite Franchise
Before Bay returned to the sensational franchise for a brief cameo in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, eagle-eyed fans may remember that he is no stranger to making brief appearances in the series, beginning in Bad Boys II when he portrayed a car driver who is stopped by Lawrence’s Marcus and Smith’s Mike when they are trying to hijack a vehicle. In true Mike Lowrey form, he hilariously scolds Marcus for his poor selection and tells him to find a better ride to chase the criminals. Bay returned in Bad Boys for Life, with his cameo as Megan and Reggie’s wedding MC being highlighted more as Adil & Bilall paid their respect to the franchise’s original director.
Fast-forward to 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, where Bay can be seen driving around in a sleek and speedy Porsche, with the cameo occurring in the first half of the action-packed flick. After suffering a mild heart attack and falling into a coma, Marcus awakens with a new outlook on life and believes that he cannot be killed. To prove his theory to Mike, he heads directly into traffic to demonstrate it to his skeptical pal. Naturally, Mike is forced to stop multiple vehicles from running right into his enlightened partner, waving off multiple cars, including one belonging to Bay’s character.
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After nearly striking Marcus with his black Porsche, the fired-up Bay can’t help but look upon the duo in anger, with the cameo also serving as a heartwarming nod to the franchise and the director’s last imprint on the enduring series. The decision to have Bay driving a Porsche holds a lot of meaning, as the sports car is Mike’s choice vehicle and is featured prominently throughout the franchise in various models, with the beloved character also racing around in a fancy Porsche in the fourth installment.
Bad Boys Is an Enduring Buddy Comedy Staple
For nearly 30 years, the fun and wildly entertaining Bad Boys franchise has kept devoted fans captivated and on the edge of their seats, with the thrilling series delivering action-packed sequences, uproarious humor, and an undeniable bond between lead stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. The charismatic performances and on-screen camaraderie between the two legendary funny men keep audiences coming back for more, with moviegoers showing their appreciation and flocking to theaters any time a new entry is released.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die has become a certified blockbuster hit since its premiere on June 7, 2024, with longtime viewers thoroughly enjoying the return of fan-favorite characters Reggie Norman (Dennis McDonald) and Captain Conrad Howard (Joe Pantoliano) and appreciating how the franchise never fails to serve up wonderfully over-the-top excitement and hilarious banter. The series remains nostalgic and celebrated for viewers even three decades later, as proven by the recent installment’s $404 million box office haul and A- CinemaScore, and much of its lasting success can be attributed to Michael Bay’s unique contributions and distinct approach to storytelling, compelling qualities that remain the franchise’s heart and soul. Stream Bad Boys: Ride or Die on Netflix.
