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| Image: Hollywood Reporter |
Will Smith may be on the brink of a significant career resurgence, two years after the infamous incident at the 2022 Academy Awards where he slapped presenter Chris Rock on live television. This resurgence is buoyed by the promising performance of his latest film, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," which is projected to inject much-needed energy into the summer box office.
Early weekend estimates suggest that the buddy action comedy, produced by Sony, could open with a robust $53 million domestically. This potential success marks a critical moment for Smith, whose career faced turbulence following the Oscars incident.
Reuniting Smith with his long-time co-star Martin Lawrence, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" has garnered generally positive reviews and achieved an A- CinemaScore. Black moviegoers, comprising 44 percent of the audience, are a significant demographic for the film.
The film's performance so far includes a solid $21.6 million from Friday's earnings, which encompass $5.9 million from Thursday night previews. "Ride or Die" has surpassed initial tracking estimates, which predicted an opening between $48 million and $50 million, positioning it as a standout film this summer, second only to "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes."
"Bad Boys: Ride or Die" is the follow-up to "Bad Boys for Life," which opened to $62 million in January 2020 and ultimately grossed $426 million worldwide before the pandemic shuttered theaters. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from a script by Chris Bremner and Will Beall, the film continues the saga of Miami cops Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) as they navigate a new threat linked to drug cartels.
The movie's release is Smith's first major theatrical push since the Oscars incident. Notably, his agents at CAA have been reaching out to studio executives to explore new projects, signaling a strategic move to capitalize on the film's momentum and potentially announce Smith's next project soon.
Sony chief Tom Rothman and his team have more reasons to celebrate this weekend, with "The Garfield Movie" holding strong at No. 2, projected to earn $10.3 million. Paramount’s "IF" continues to perform well, expected to secure the No. 3 spot with $8.5 million.
Meanwhile, Ishana Night Shyamalan’s directorial debut "The Watchers" is anticipated to open in fourth place with $7 million, while "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" rounds out the top five with an estimated $5.5 million.
Smith's low-key appearance in a movie theater watching "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" with fans, who were unaware of his presence, added a personal touch to his comeback narrative. This surprise interaction, shared on social media, has further endeared him to audiences and underscored his efforts to reconnect with fans.
As Smith navigates his comeback, the success of "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" could indeed mark the beginning of a new chapter in his storied career.
See the movie trailer below:
Source: Hollywood Reporter
#Will Smith
#Bad Boys 4
#Box Office
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