We usually don't dabble in rumors, but this one got us pretty excited: actor and comedian Martin Lawrence announced on "Conan" Wednesday night the "Bad Boys" franchise was definitely getting a third installment.
"I just talked to Jerry yesterday. He said it's real. They've been working on a script. They've been getting close and it all looks good."
According to Lawrence, he'll reprise his role as detective Marcus Burnett and Jerry Bruckheimer will produce.
For those unfamiliar with the franchise, it follows the exploits of detectives Mike Lowry and Marcus Burnett, played by Will Smith and Lawrence respectively. In the first one, they take down drug dealers. In the second one, they take down drug dealers.
What's funny about Lawrence's appearance Wednesday night is that he's been saying the same thing for at least the past four years. So is he just full of it, or can we expect a "Bad Boys III" this lifetime?
Well, first mention of a third movie might've come during the MTV Movie Awards in 2008:
Will Smith: "We need a 'Bad Boys III! Michael is too expensive now. He's way too expensive."
That was Smith referring to Michael Bay, the director of the first two movies. Bay has since been busy making money off destroying New York City in Transformers movies. Interestingly enough, 2008 might've been the last time Smith mentioned anything about Bad Boys.
In 2009, SlashFilm and other sources reported Peter Craig would write the screenplay. Craig's name was later replaced by "Safe House" screenwriter David Guggenheim.
Then in 2010, Lawrence said "Big Willie" and Michael Bay were onboard, but there was at least one other person who wasn't:
"It's real. We're just waiting on Jerry Bruckheimer."
Jeez, Jerry! Holding up the entire operation — was holding up the entire operation until his interview with Collider earlier this year.
Bruckheimer produced the first two films and told Collider the timing for the third has been less than ideal: "It’s just trying to get everybody together to make it. But, we’re working on the script. We have a lot of faith and hope that we’ll do it.”
Bruckheimer blames the timing and, according to IMDb, he's busy, Bay's busy, Smith's busy, and Lawrence is (kind of) busy. But at least there's an unfinished entry for "Bad Boys 3" under the profiles of the actors.
With the sporadic updates on a movie that's supposed to be happening, a Huffington Post writer says, "Expect another update in four years or so."
It wouldn't hurt for Will Smith to back up his partner in cinematic justice on the movie "announcement." The good news is that they have plenty of time to finally learn the lyrics from the "Cops" theme song.
"Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?"
This video contains images from Getty Images.
