Film fans in Dubai had a rare opportunity to meet the beloved action-comedy duo Will Smith and Martin Lawrence at the regional premiere of Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The stars walked the red carpet at the Coca-Cola Arena before the screening of the franchise's fourth installment.
Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Hit the Dubai Red Carpet
The Bad Boys: Ride or Die Dubai premiere took place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at the Coca-Cola Arena. Smith and Lawrence were joined on the red carpet by directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the Moroccan-Belgian filmmakers who also helmed the previous entry, Bad Boys for Life.
The film features a strong ensemble cast including Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Ioan Gruffudd, and Joe Pantoliano, with additional cast members Eric Dane, Paola Núñez, Jacob Scipio, Melanie Liburd, and Rhea Seehorn.
The Bad Boys Franchise: From 1995 to 2024
The fourth installment continues the story of Miami police officers Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence), known for their unconventional and high-octane approach to law enforcement. The original Bad Boys launched in 1995 under director Michael Bay and has kept action-comedy audiences hooked ever since.
The predecessor Bad Boys for Life grossed over $426 million worldwide following its 2020 release — a commercial milestone that made the fourth film a certainty. Bad Boys: Ride or Die was released in the United States on June 7, 2024, by Sony Pictures under its Columbia Pictures label.
Martin Lawrence on the Spirit of the Set
During an interview with The National in December 2020, Lawrence reflected on the series' enduring chemistry: "It was a joy working with these guys. They showed love every day. They showed everyone the same kind of attention and affection. It was beautiful to be on set and the environment they made was really comfortable for us."
Directors El Arbi and Fallah have spoken about the privilege of working with the franchise's leading men. El Arbi said: "We're just two punks from Belgium. We're not the big stars like them. They made those movies. It was really a challenge, but at the same time, they chose us for a reason, and we bring something to the table."
Will Smith's Long Love for Dubai
The Bad Boys: Ride or Die Dubai premiere is far from Will Smith's first connection to the emirate. Smith has rappelled down the Burj Khalifa, explored the depths of Deep Dive Dubai, and in 2021 contributed handprints to the UAE's 100 Million Meals charity campaign.
Most memorably, he celebrated his 50th birthday in 2018 by skydiving over Dubai with his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith — a moment captured for his Facebook Watch series Will Smith's Bucket List. Jada also attended the May 2024 premiere, showing her support for the film's launch.
