That Time Will Smith Helped A Classic Bad Boys Character Return For Ride Or Die

That Time Will Smith Helped A Classic Bad Boys Character Return For Ride Or Die

As a die-hard fan of the Bad Boys franchise, I can confidently say that the return of Captain Howard in Bad Boys: Ride or Die was not just a welcome surprise, but a testament to the power of great storytelling and the dedication of the team behind it.


Title “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is poised to be among the summer blockbusters in 2024, continuing the legacy of one of the greatest action movies ever made. Sequels like this, known as legacy-quels, require a skilled hand, especially when reviving characters who were previously killed on duty. Actor Will Smith, aware of this, has shared some insights into how Captain Howard managed to bid farewell to one of his “bad boys.” These details come from co-star and acting legend Joe Pantoliano in a recent interview.

How Will Smith Played A Part In Bringing Back Bad Boys’ Captain Howard

Discussing the Premium Video on Demand debut of “Bad Boys 4”, the unexpected return of Captain Howard played by Pantoliano was a topic that came up. Given that he’s already appeared in the first trailer for “Bad Boys: Ride Or Die“, fans might be curious about how or why this character was included in the movie.

And as Joey Pants told ComicBook, Will Smith played the following role in making it happen:

It was great that the situation turned out in favor of bringing back the Captain. I wasn’t directly involved, but I frequently received updates from producer Doug Belgrad. He’d call to share his insights, saying something like, “It seems we might be able to make this happen right now.”

In the mixed reviews for the movie “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, it’s challenging to find someone who didn’t appreciate Joe Pantoliano rejoining the cast. Essentially, he’s like the ‘M’ figure to Marcus and Mike, who can be seen as a team of their own James Bond.

It’s quite appropriate that the esteemed Captain would show up in a recorded message offering guidance for their upcoming journey, reminiscent of Judi Dench’s M character from Spectre. However, this is just one aspect of the intriguing tale behind Captain Howard’s unexpected comeback. To delve deeper into the story, we’ll require another key player to help fill in more details.

That Time Will Smith Helped A Classic Bad Boys Character Return For Ride Or Die

The Story Behind How Ride Or Die Screenwriter Will Beall Helped Crack Captain Howard’s Appearance

Recently, I had a chat with screenwriter Will Beall, who, together with Chris Bremner, played a significant role in shaping Bad Boys 4. Beall contributed to the film’s narrative by introducing an idea that was partly sparked by his personal encounter with mortality, enhancing the character portrayed by Pantoliano.

As a devoted fan, I found the movie “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” particularly captivating. In this film, my favorite character Marcus (played by Martin Lawrence) experiences a brief brush with the afterlife following a heart attack. This poignant moment allows him to reunite, if only for a fleeting instant, with Captain Howard, offering a divine spark of inspiration.

Without a doubt, the supernatural elements were indeed mine. This concept has been around for quite some time, similar to how Shakespeare and the Greeks use it. I’ve always found ghosts in movies enchanting; there’s something profound about them. The idea that someone who has passed on could still be part of your life carries a sense of hope that we all yearn for. We often have moments when we feel their presence, even if they are not physically there. It seemed fitting to me. If Marcus was going to spend a brief moment on the other side, it seemed right that he would encounter Captain Howard.

The combination of Will Smith’s commitment and faithfulness, along with Will Beall’s unique touch, made the decision to bring Joe Pantoliano back for another adventure in “Ride or Die” seem effortless. Although there was some effort required to shape the story, it proved to be an effective starting point, potentially delivering the Captain’s last message. Provided that a possible “Bad Boys 5” materializes, Marcus could take on the role of psychic detective with Captain Howard as his partner, which could be a viable scenario.

If you’re interested in teaming up with Mike and Marcus once more, you can reserve a copy of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” on Amazon in physical format, or rent or purchase the movie via PVOD. However, we don’t have an exact release date for when “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” will be available on subscription streaming. Given Sony’s current agreement with Netflix, it seems likely that the film will eventually land on that platform. So remember to keep your membership updated and ready!

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2024-08-09 22:37