Will Smith has moved past the brouhaha over his Oscars slap with work. The Academy Award-winning actor has reported for duty as he’s pictured filming “Bad Boys 4” for the first time.
On Tuesday, April 11, the 54-year-old was spotted on the set in Atlanta. Dressing fully in character as Detective Lieutenant Michael Eugene “Mike” Lowrey, he looked happy as he was all smiles while interacting with his co-stars and the crew.
Smith sported a black short-sleeved button-down shirt which was left unbuttoned on top of a black T-shirt or tank top. He also wore a medium-sized silver chain necklace, a silver bracelet and a watch as he held his phone in one hand and carried a water bottle in his other hand.
The “Emancipation” star had a big smile on his face as he chatted up with a guy who was wearing a gray Nike sweater. Martin Lawrence, who is set to reprisehis role as Mike’s partner and best friend Detective Lieutenant Marcus Miles Burnett, was not seen filming a scene with Smith that day.
“Bad Boys 4” is the first movie that Smith has been filming since he was embroiled in drama regarding his behavior at the 2022 Academy Awards. At last year’s ceremony, he slapped Chris Rock on stage when the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head while presenting an award.
Smith went on to win his first Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of Serena Williams and Venus Williams, in “King Richard”. However, he was then banned from all Academy events for 10 years.
In late January, Smith and Lawrence announced that “Bad Boys 4” got a green light. “Bad Boys for Life” directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah return to helm from a script by Chris Bremner. Jerry Bruckheimer, Smith for Westbrook, Doug Belgrad and Chad Oman are back producing, with Lawrence, James Lassiter, Mike Stenson, Barry Waldman and Jon Mone serving as executive producers.
Vanessa Hudgens has also been confirmed to return as Kelly, a weapons expert of AMMO. Meanwhile, Eric Dane was recently announced to star as the villain, but the plot is still kept under wraps.
No release date is set for the fourth installment of the “Bad Boys” franchise, which kicked off with the first film in 1995, just yet.
[via]
