“Bad Boys for Life” released globally last weekend and earned a strong box office revenue of 100 million dollars, breaking even with its production costs and reviving the summer box office. The producers recently discussed the success of the film, attributing it to satisfying both audience nostalgia and bringing freshness, hinting at a possible sequel in the works.
Last Saturday, Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer of the “Bad Boys” and “Top Gun” series, spoke to Deadline about talks regarding a sequel with Sony Pictures. However, everyone involved is waiting to gauge the final box office results for “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” before greenlighting another sequel.
Bruckheimer mentioned, “We have discussed it, but we want to see how the film does at the box office, and I believe we will have discussions this week.” Reflecting on the reception of “Bad Boys 4,” Bruckheimer acknowledged the audience’s discernment, stating, “It’s pretty simple—if you make something people want to see, they will go see it. If it’s useful to them, they will line up for it, and I hope we all can understand that.”
Bruckheimer admitted that he doesn’t necessarily know what audiences want; he just creates things he enjoys and endeavors to produce films he would want to watch. He said, “We’ve done this several times now, with ‘Bad Boys,’ ‘Top Gun,’ and ‘Beverly Hills Cop,’ maintaining a balance of nostalgia and novelty for the viewers.”
Expressing his gratitude for the audience’s affinity for the characters, particularly Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, Bruckheimer noted their adventurous experiences on screen and the struggles they endure in their lives. He remarked, “What they want is the same feeling, but they want different things. I think we are very fortunate to give the audience that feeling.”
Discussing the appeal of cinemas, Bruckheimer emphasized the communal experience, stating, “You know what’s so fun? It’s a collective experience; people enjoy laughing together. When people start laughing, the whole audience erupts in laughter. After some experiences, they applaud and leave feeling good.”
Bruckheimer also praised directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, highlighting how they enthuse audiences with their captivating scenes, particularly the helicopter shots and the film’s conclusion, showcasing their mastery in moving the camera and collaborating with cinematographers to create these brilliant moments.
Regarding the progress of “Top Gun: Maverick,” Bruckheimer revealed discussions with Tom Cruise about interesting ideas for the sequel but mentioned that a script is yet to be finalized, indicating that it will take some time for the project to materialize.