Stephen A. Smith is still hanging on to the Oscars slap. Appearing on his podcast ahead of the launch of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, he asked, “Are we embracing Will Smith again?”
Stephen A. wants Will to have a discussion with the Black community about his decision to slap Chris Rock.
“You got to have a conversation as to why you did that,” Stephen A. Smith said. “It’s primarily us as Black people who have loved and supported you and watched you go on an international stage and slap one of us in the face.”
Do you agree with Stephen A.’s sentiment? You can hear it from him below.
Despite Stephen A.’s opinion, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have once again captivated audiences with their latest film, Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die.
The newest installment of the beloved franchise achieved a domestic box office haul of $56 million over the weekend. The film’s success extended beyond the US, bringing in nearly $50 million globally, making it the first blockbuster hit of the summer season with a total opening weekend revenue of $104.6 million.
The dynamic duo’s on-screen chemistry and action-packed performances have resonated with fans, drawing large crowds to theaters. “Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die” continues the thrilling saga of Miami detectives Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence), delivering the high-octane action and humor that audiences have come to expect from the series.
The film’s impressive box office performance solidifies its status as a major summer blockbuster, setting a high bar for upcoming releases. As the first big hit of the season, “Bad Boys 4” has generated significant buzz and excitement among moviegoers, promising a strong continued showing in theaters worldwide.
With its successful opening weekend, “Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die” reaffirms the franchise’s enduring appeal and the star power of Smith and Lawrence, marking the iconic duo’s triumphant return to the big screen.
The much-anticipated sequel to 2020’s Bad Boy 4 Life, Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die, has taken the box office by storm. Opening on Friday, June 7, the movie, featuring the dynamic duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, has exceeded all expectations. The fourth installment in the trilogy, which kicked off with the 1995 release of Bad Boys, raked in a staggering $56 million domestically in its first weekend, a figure that was nearly twice Sony’s internal projection of $30 million and significantly higher than industry forecasts of $45 million to $50 million, as reported by Deadline.
Fans are enjoying this one. They showed up in legions to see the new flick, and if that’s not evidence enough that no one cares about the Chris Rock Oscars slap, then we don’t know what to tell you. Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have been on a promotional tear the past few weeks, and it’s paid off. The overall box office has been down this summer, with industry insiders concerned that big movies like Furiosa and The Fall Guy are not performing to expectations. In comes Bad Boys: Ride Or Die, which shows the industry that star power is star power, and Will Smith still has it.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s buddy police comedy series has made $104.6 million in total revenue, including $48.6 million from overseas box office receipts. Although it helped that Smith returned to theaters with a franchise that has lasted for more than 30 years, audiences have welcomed his first major motion picture since he attacked Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars. Sony invested $100 million in Bad Boys 4 production and more in marketing the movie to a worldwide audience. The film has already made its budget back and will likely approach the $200 Million the third film in the franchise achieved in 2020.
Fans showed up to see the movie. Will Smith and Martin Lawernce have promoted the movie all over the country, receiving massive amounts of love wherever they went. Overall, Bad Boys: Ride Or Die is a massive success, and it has surprised industry insiders but not fans. People will show up when you have a star like Will Smith and a franchise that people love, like Bad Boys.
Bad Boys: Ride Or Die has brought the box office back to life, raking in over $100 million dollars this weekend. Stars Will Smith and Martin Lawerence returned to their iconic roles for the fourth time, and fans showed up in support, making it one of the most successful movies of the summer so far. If there is any proof that everyone is over Will Smith’s Oscar slap on Chris Rock, it will be the box office return for Will’s new movie. Stephen A. Smith, who clearly did not see how much money Bad Boys 4 made, thinks people are not ready to watch Will Smith at the movies because he needs to apologize to the black community.
Stephen A. initially said to the audience that he “will never stop being a Will Smith fan” and that he “in all likelihood” will be attending the premiere of the upcoming Bad Boys movie. However, Smith takes a more critical stance for most of his rant, which starts with the host highlighting a picture he and Will took together back when the actor was promoting his Concussion film. In short, Stephen A. Smith says he wants to see “an actual sit-down interview” focused on the Oscar-winning actor’s Chris Rock slap. According to Smith, Rock “will never get over that, ever” and is “damaged,” because of the incident. He added that the actor’s decision to slap the comedian “tarnished” the evening in question in 2022.
“We know you wouldn’t have smacked Ricky Gervais, Bill Maher, Bill Burr or a host of others,” Stephen A. Smith said. The ESPN personality argued that the Fresh Prince alum should “sit down and talk to the Black community.” He continued, “We know you wouldn’t have done that. No apology is necessary. I’m just saying a lot of folks ain’t get over that. A lot of folks find it hard to just go to the movies to watch you. I’m one of those people.” He clearly did not see how happy fans were to see the new Bad Boys movie.
As many fans on social media have pointed out, Stephen A. Smith is often disconnected from the culture in which he believes he is an authority. His rant is detached from reality because Will Smith’s movie is one of the highest-grossing of the summer. People of all races, but especially black people, arrived in droves to see the new Bad Boys. Not to mention, Will Smith has been getting love everywhere he goes during his promotional tour with Martin Lawrence. Overall, Stephen A. Smith has missed the mark again with his attempt at cultural criticism.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have once again captivated audiences with their latest film, Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die.
The newest installment of the beloved franchise achieved a domestic box office haul of $56 million over the weekend. The film’s success extended beyond the US, bringing in nearly $50 million globally, making it the first blockbuster hit of the summer season with a total opening weekend revenue of $104.6 million.
The dynamic duo’s on-screen chemistry and action-packed performances have resonated with fans, drawing large crowds to theaters. “Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die” continues the thrilling saga of Miami detectives Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence), delivering the high-octane action and humor that audiences have come to expect from the series.
The film’s impressive box office performance solidifies its status as a major summer blockbuster, setting a high bar for upcoming releases. As the first big hit of the season, “Bad Boys 4” has generated significant buzz and excitement among moviegoers, promising a strong continued showing in theaters worldwide.
With its successful opening weekend, “Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die” reaffirms the franchise’s enduring appeal and the star power of Smith and Lawrence, marking the iconic duo’s triumphant return to the big screen.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have been making the rounds to support their new film Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The two icons, stars of their own ’90s sitcoms, pulled up on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and revealed which sitcom was better: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or Martin.
“It wasn’t even a competition,” Smith answered. “Martin was hands down funnier than me. I used to study this dude in pure jealousy at the level of comedic genius that he could portray. I’m an actor that needs a script. Martin, you can just roll and say, ‘Go’ and just let it rip and make it up and different takes and all of that and just how he used his body and he’ll look and notice something in the room and grab it and use it. It was a level of comedic genius that was stunning to me.
Martin Lawrence wants fans to know that he is doing well. After a recent event in which it appears his Bad Boys co-star Will Smith is leading him upstairs and another in which he seems unfocused in an interview, Martin is speaking out.
Pulling up on Hot 97, Martin said: “I’m fine. I’m in Gods hands. I’m blessed- I’m glad to be waking up everyday and everything. No need for people to be concerned. I’m healthy as hell. Stop the rumors”
You can see the moment below.
Martin Lawrence addresses the people online who are concerned about his health, and Will Smith discusses his comeback.
Quincy Jones saw something in Will Smith. The legendary producer knew talent when he saw it, and he knew Smith had what it took to be a crossover sensation. He was right. He cast Smith as the star of the classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and the rest is history. The show ran for six seasons, and the actor went on to become one of the biggest stars in the world. Smith has always spoke highly of Quincy Jones and the influence he had, but he recently admitted that he disagreed with the producer on one major detail. Smith hated the original theme song to his own show.
The revelation came about during Smith’s appearance on Hot 97. The actor was promoting his new film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, and he reflected on his star-making TV role. He claimed he was in awe of Quincy Jones, especially given his pedigree. “He was mentoring me,” Smith stated. “Quincy had done a theme song for Fresh Prince. And you know, Quincy did Sanford and Son; Quincy did a 1,000 things that you don’t even know.” Everything was great, until Smith listened to the theme song Jones had in mind. “So Quincy plays a theme song for The Fresh Prince,” he noted. “It was that old school… So I listened and I was like, ‘Ohhh… wow…. yeah.’” The future superstar was worried.
Will Smith Made An Alternate Theme That Quincy Loved
Smith’s solution was to turn to his musical partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff. “Jeff was at the hotel and I was like, ‘Jeff, Quincy played a theme song. Dude, it’s no good at all,’” he told Hot 97. “Jeff was like, ‘Just tell him, man, he’ll understand.’ I was like, ‘There ain’t no way I’m telling Quincy Jones […] I can’t do it, man. Quincy knows better than I know.’” Smith’s fear was understandable, given that Jones was helping him get his foot in the door. DJ Jazzy Jeff then solved the problem by making a new beat for Smith to rap over. The duo made the song in one evening, and decided to show it to Jones as an alternative.
It was a stressful first listen. “So I played it for Quincy and he sat there and listened and I’m shaking and sweating,” Smith explained. “And he said, ‘Well, that’s better than that bullshit I did.’ … We did a whole record [with] a second verse, so Quincy made the edit and that became the theme song.” Smith’s gut proved correct, as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song went on to become one of the most iconic themes of all time. It was even included on the DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince greatest hits album.
Michael B. Jordan is eager for the I Am Legend 2 movie he is filming with Will Smith to begin. In an interview with People magazine, the Black Panther actor provided an update on the film’s progress and discussed his collaboration with Propel Fitness Water on the Propel Your City Project. I Am Legend 2 is “something that is in the works,” he said. Jordan explained, “We’re still working on the script and getting that up to par,” he continued. “It doesn’t have a release date or anything like that. I’m not sure exactly where we’re going to be filming that one, but I’m really excited to get in front of the camera with him [Smith].”
Michale B. Jordan said the Oscar winner is “somebody that I’ve looked up to for a really long time, [so] to be able to work with Will is something I’m really looking forward to. I’m really excited.” In March 2022, news of the sequel to the post-apocalyptic 2007 film starring Smith was first revealed. In the first movie, he played scientist Robert Neville, who contracts an illness that converts most people into zombie-like monsters, leaving him as one of the world’s only survivors. It was adapted from the same-titled novel by author Richard Matheson, published in 1954.
I Am Legend 2 was previously teased by Will Smith in December 2023. He mentioned that although his character perishes in the theatrical version of the first movie, the DVD had a different ending that was revealed during the end credits, showing that his character lived. “So we are going with the mythology of the DVD version where my character lived,” he explained at the time. Akiva Goldsman, who co-wrote the first movie, came back to write the sequel. It will be something special to see Smith and Michael b. Jordan share the b
Will Smith, Willow Smith, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Emma Thompson, and Alice Braga appeared in the film I Am Legend. At the global box office, the Francis Lawrence-directed film brought in over $585 million. In I Am Legend 2, Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan not only act, but they also produce. Overall, I Am Legend is a classic and we cannot wait to see what they can do with a sequel.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence attended the Miami premiere of their highly anticipated film, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die”. Joining them were Jacob Scipio, who stars as Mike Lowrey’s (Smith) son Armando, co-star Joe Pantoliano, and co-director Bilall Fallah. The event was a star-studded affair, with DJ Khaled, Fat Joe, LeLe Pons, Swae Lee, and others showing their support.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is the latest installment in Sony Pictures’ successful Bad Boys franchise. The film promises its iconic blend of thrilling action and outrageous comedy, with a new twist: Miami’s finest are now on the run. The movie is set to hit theaters exclusively on Friday, June 7, 2024.Fans of the franchise can look forward to another adrenaline-pumping adventure as Smith and Lawrence reprise their roles as the dynamic duo of Miami’s police force. With a blend of familiar faces and fresh talent, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” aims to deliver the excitement and humor that has made the series a staple in action-comedy cinema.
Martin Lawrence wants fans to know that he is doing well. After a recent event in which it appears his Bad Boys co-star Will Smith is leading him upstairs and another in which he seems unfocused in an interview, Martin is speaking out.
Pulling up on Hot 97, Martin said: “I’m fine. I’m in Gods hands. I’m blessed- I’m glad to be waking up everyday and everything. No need for people to be concerned. I’m healthy as hell. Stop the rumors”
You can see the moment below.
Martin Lawrence addresses the people online who are concerned about his health, and Will Smith discusses his comeback.
A celebrity apology is not always what it seems. From lackluster to too-little-too-late, celebrities have a history of offering unconvincing apologies for their mistakes or wrongdoings. The latest, most famous of these insincere attempts at amends comes from rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs. It seems like not a day has gone by recently without Combs in the news. A line of women have been stepping forward with allegations of abuse. Perhaps most famously, Diddy’s ex, Cassie Ventura, settled a federal lawsuit against the Bad Boy Records executive last November. But it wasn’t until mid-May of this year that Diddy made any attempt to apologize for–or even acknowledge–Cassie’s allegations.
Recently, CNN obtained footage from 2016 showing the music mogul repeatedly assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles InterContinental Hotel. Finally, a celebrity apology from Diddy has gone public. He took to Instagram, claiming he was at “rock bottom” at the time. He also stated that he sought therapy and entered rehab in the time since. Instagram users lambasted the “I’ll Be Missing You” rapper, stating “Not even a week ago Diddy was denying the accusations against him” and “YOU ARE NOT THE VICTIM HERE.” Cassie’s lawyer Meredith Firetog also released a statement on the apology, calling it “disingenous” and an act of “pathetic desperation.” This is, of course, only the newest in the ongoing pop-culture spectacle known as the “questionable celebrity apology.” Let’s take a look at five times celebrities have issued condolences that raised eyebrows and garnered further backlash.
Shia LeBeouf is no stranger to criticism – he did, after all, once don a paper bag over his head on the red carpet. But back in 2012, the Even Stevens actor gave his own celebrity apology regarding a short film he created titled Howard Cantour.com. While it was initially very well-received by fans and critics alike, not long after release the film was revealed to be the work of plagiarism. Comic book writer Dan Clowes came forward, showing how the film copied much of the plot and dialogue of his comic Justin M Damiano.
LeBeouf issued a strange apology via a rambling series of tweets. First, he said that, swept up in excitement and creativity, he “neglected to follow proper accreditation.” Finally, he admitted that he “f****** up.” Perhaps the oddest thing about this was that it was revealed later that LeBeouf’s apologies were themselves plagiarized from a Yahoo! Answers forum, which led to further investigations of plagiarism and continued future skepticism over LeBeouf’s work.
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis both rose to fame on the much-loved sitcom That 70s Show. One of their former co-stars, Danny Masterson, was convicted last May of two counts of sexual assault. Kutcher is known as a co-founder of Thorn, an NGO that works against human trafficking. That’s one reason the media found it bizarre when it was revealed he and Kunis wrote letters in support of Masterson to his judge. They lauded him as an incredible person. In the midst of subsequent public outcry, Kutcher and Kunis created a video apology. Their disheveled demeanor and stilted tones led viewers to see it as very insincere and uncaring.
Will Smith’s Celebrity Apology To Chris Rock
Who can forget when Will Smith stood up and slapped Chris Rock hard during the Academy Awards in March 2022? The moment was so strange that it felt surreal. Rock had let loose a somewhat insensitive comment about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett’s alopecia. Less than an hour later, Smith won Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard. Smith took that chance to publicly apologize for what had just transpired, but he didn’t explicitly apologize to Rock himself. He claimed that he was “fogged out by that point.” This, of course, led to heavy criticism, prompting Smith to finally release a 6-minute apology video on his YouTube channel. He stated that “there is no part of me that thinks that is the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect.”
For years, celebrity chef Mario Batali was well-known as a friendly face on various Food Network shows, and as an ongoing member of ABC’s The Chew. But everything came crashing down in 2017 when Batali was fired from The Chew due to multiple allegations of misconduct with women. In his email newsletter, Batali later apologized for his actions and stated that he took “full responsibility.” However, for some bizarre reason, the chef included a recipe for cinnamon rolls right after his apology. This careless decision was heavily criticized and mocked across the media.
Logan Paul In Japan’s Aokigahara Forest
The social media influencer and professional boxer/wrestler Logan Paul has had to make a couple of public celebrity apologies over the years. But probably the most famous and most ridiculous came after he filmed himself in Aokigahara forest near Japan’s Mount Fuji. The forest is infamous due to the large number of suicides that have taken place there over the years. Paul filmed a body and his reaction, which viewers were astonished by. It resounded with incredible disrespect and insensitivity.
Paul rushed to offer a few apologies, which ranged from him claiming that the entire video was created in reaction to his own psychological issues and even that he was attempting to raise awareness about mental health in general. No one really took these various statements too seriously, and he was the target of (mostly well-deserved) mockery. (He was also the target of a $3 million dollar lawsuit based on a Google licensing deal that fell through after his forest video.)
