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Bad Boys 4 Set Video Reveals New Will Smith Action Scene’s Truly Epic Filming Technique
Theresa Randle’s dubious recasting forBad Boys: Ride or Die(2024) has raised the eyebrows of some fans who are wondering about the actor switch.Randle debuted the role of Theresa Burnett, wife to Martin Lawrence’s Marcus Burnett, in the firstBad Boysback in 1995. The actress later reprised her role inBad Boys II(2003) andBad Boys for Life(2020). Because of Randle’s previous reprisal of herBad Boysrole, it was surprising not to see the actressreturn inBad Boys: Ride or Die.
Theresa Burnett is still a key character in the franchise sequel, as she and Marcus have kids together who play important roles inRide or Die.Taking over for Randle inBad Boys: Ride or Dieis Tasha Smith, an actress known for her work in projects such asThe Whole Ten YardsandEmpire. However, as the fourthBad Boys' success showed the love of the franchise is still strong, the question remains as to why Randle was recast forBad Boys: Ride or Die.
Despite Theresa Randle’s departure fromBad Boys: Ride or Die, the actress has not spoken about her exit from theBad Boysfranchise or given a reason for her absence. Back in May 2023, over a year before the release ofBad Boys: Ride or Die, Smith’s casting as Theresa Burnett was announced for the fourth film. In that entire time, however,no one involved inBad Boys: Ride or Diehas commented as to why Randle did not return. This leaves her exact reason for leaving the franchise up in the air, and open to speculation.
Theresa Randle Has Mostly Retired From Acting
One potential theory as towhy Randle did not appear inBad Boys: Ride or Dieis that she may have retired from acting. Back when the firstBad Boyswas released, the actress was 31 years old and had an active career. She had made her debut in her 20s, acting in the filmsMaid to OrderandNear Dark. By the timeBad Boysrolled around, Randle had already acted in some major projects, including the filmsJungle FeverandMalcolm X. Released in the ‘90s,Bad Boyscame out during the height of Randle’s career.
In contrast,Randle has not acted in anything sinceBad Boys for Lifein 2020. This notable gap in work suggests that Randle may have decided to retire her acting career entirely, choosing not to take on new projects such asBad Boys: Ride or Die. But much like her curious absence from theBad Boysfilm, neither Randle nor anyone on the team has confirmed the actress’ retirement.
However, her lack of roles sinceBad Boys for Lifeis not the only reason to think that Randle may have retired from acting. Even before theBad Boysthreequel, Randle had not had a role on screen in a decade, when she worked in the independent filmShit Yearin 2010. Thissizable gap is even more evidence that Randle may have left her acting days behind her, even if she or those around her have not confirmed it.
This Small Role Could Be Due to Theresa Randle’s Absence
While she was still inBad Boys: Ride or Die,Theresa Burnett had a smaller part in the film. In previous renditions ofBad Boys, Theresa and her relationship with Marcus were a more prominent piece of the plot, but inRide or Die, the character takes the backseat. As in the case of the other elements of Randle’s absence, it is unclear whether this decision had anything to do with the recasting of the role. Randle had become pretty synonymous with the character of Theresa Burnett so that casualty is far from out of the question.
How much Theresa will feature in apotentialBad Boys 5or any other rendition of the series remains to be seen, as another sequel has not yet been confirmed. Younger characters Reggie and Armando were the most popular elements ofBad Boys: Ride or Die, so the series could likely pivot to focus on these characters. In that case, the role ofTheresa Burnett could continue to take a backseator even fade out of the series. If so, Randle’sBad Boysrecasting will end up being a relatively inconsequential aspect of the overall series.
The Franchise Needs Marcus' Family Connection
Despite the franchise now being nearly 30 years old by this point,Bad Boyshas always stuck close to its roots with a lot of returning cast members across the four entries. John Salley as Fletcher is a character who first appeared in the originalBad Boysmovie and returns inBad Boys: Ride or Die. Despite his characterCaptain Howard dying inBad Boys For Life, Joe Pantoliano has a small role in the fourth movie, continuing his streak of appearing in each installment.
Theresa Randle was part of that stable cast who fans could expect to see in each sequel, no matter how much time passed in between movies.Given the close-knit feel of the ensemble, it does feel like something is missing from the fourth movie.Part of that also has to do with the fact that it downplays the role of family in Marcus' life in this latest sequel, which had always been such a big part of his character.
However, if Randle is not going to be returning to the role,Bad Boys for Lifedid seem to suggest another character could be the main source of connection between Marcus and his family. Reggie grew from the shy boy coming to take Marcus' daughter on a date inBad Boys IIinto the scene-stealing action hero ofBad Boys For Life. Given the reception to his crowd-pleasing role in the fourth movie, he could continue to have a bigger role going forward and keep Marcus' connection to his family strong.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die
Cast
Bad Boys: Ride or Die continues the action-packed saga of Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. The film follows the duo as they face new threats and personal challenges, blending intense action scenes with the camaraderie fans have come to love in the Bad Boys series.
