The directors of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, recently shared insights about the film’s ending and the surprising moment involving Will Smith’s slap. In a climactic action scene, Smith’s character, Mike Lowery, faces a moment of hesitation, which is resolved when Marcus (played by Martin Lawrence) slaps him, reminiscent of Smith’s slap at the 2022 Oscars.
In an interview with Variety, El Arbi and Fallah discussed the inclusion of this reference to Smith’s real-life incident and how audiences reacted to it. They revealed that the scene was spontaneous and not rehearsed, adding a personal touch to the movie. Fallah mentioned that the idea came from Smith himself, who was deeply involved in the film’s production. The directors were initially unsure about including the moment but found that it resonated well with test audiences, eliciting laughter and positive feedback.
The directors emphasized that the scene served as a release of tension and contributed to the movie’s overall impact. They acknowledged the controversy surrounding Smith’s Oscars incident and explained how integrating it into the film provided closure and a layer of real-world commentary. By portraying Smith as the recipient of the slap in the movie, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” managed to address the incident humorously while acknowledging its significance.
This approach allowed the movie to reach a new level of engagement with audiences, offering a comedic yet meaningful moment that helped contextualize the real-life event. While the future of the “Bad Boys” franchise remains uncertain, the directors indicated that this reference likely concludes this storyline, allowing Smith to move forward in his career without lingering associations with the incident.
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