Sony Pictures has announced release dates for a slew of exciting features coming to a theater near you beginning 2016! The company’s slate consists of 16 titles through 2019, including two more films in the Bad Boys franchise, a remake of the classic fantasy-thriller Jumanji, and the first installment in the The Dark Tower franchise.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence starred as Miami narcotics cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett in the first two Bad Boys films. Both Lawrence and Smith were starring in their own hit TV shows, Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, when filming Bad Boys. During an interview with Team Coco last year, Lawrence announced the third Bad Boys film with an email featuring the subject line: “CONAN: Martin Lawrence Announces ‘Bad Boys 3.'” When Conan asked if Bad Boys 3 was happening, Martin replied,
“I believe so. Yes. I just talked to Jerry Bruckheimer yesterday and he said its real, they’re working on the script, they’re getting close and it all looks good.”
Bad Boys was released in 1995 and was produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and marked the feature film debut of Michael Bay. The film grossed over $140 million worldwide. Bad Boys II was released in 2003 and grossed over $270 million. During a 2012 interview, Smith was asked about the possibility of returning for another sequel.
“I love making those movies,” said Smith. “It’s Miami, the tight T-shirt and fast cars, but just at this point in my career the material has to be right. Just because it’s a popcorn movie doesn’t mean that you don’t have something to say. Then, to me, that’s hugely important. I’m forty-three and I’ve got probably…I’m looking at maybe seven more years where I can run and jump a little bit and then I’m going butt and gut for the rest of my career. Butt and gut.”
Bad Boys 3 is set for release on February 17, 2017, with Bad Boys 4 dropping July 3, 2019. Sony announced plans to update the Robin Williams fantasy Jumanji back in 2012. It arrives in theaters next year on Christmas Day.
Will Smith & Martin Lawrence
Sony’s slate also includes the sci-fi romance Passengers starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt. The studio will release the title during award season — hoping to score big with its Academy-award winning leading lady. Imitation Game director Morten Tyldum is on board to helm the film, which drops December 21, 2016.
Nikolaj Arcel is directing the first installment in the adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower franchise, which arrives January 13, 2017. GhostBusters hits theaters July 15, 2016 and Resident Evil 6 opens January 27, 2017. A previous Inquisitr article confirmed that Ali Larter will reprise her character in the final chapter.
While the plot of Bad Boys 3 is unknown at this time, Joe Carnahan is rumored to be directing a script written by David Guggenheim. IMDB has stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence listed as returning to the franchise.
The following is the full list of Sony releases: (via Variety)
Money Monster – 4/8/16 The Shallows – 6/24/16 Ghostbusters – 7/15/16 Patient Zero – 9/2/16 The Magnificent Seven – 9/23/16 Underworld 5 – 10/21/16 Passengers – 12/21/16 Jumanji – 12/25/16 The Dark Tower – 1/13/17 Resident Evil 6 – 1/27/17 Bad Boys 3 – 2/17/17 Baby Driver – 3/17/17 Barbie – 6/2/17 Uncharted – 6/30/17 The Lamb – 12/8/17 Bad Boys 4 – 7/3/19
