Will Smith’s return to Hollywood with Bad Boys: Ride or Die will involve addressing all questions regarding the Oscar slap incident.

The 2022 Oscars slap incident made headlines worldwide. However, one notable figure who remained silent on the matter, aside from issuing an apology, is none other than Hollywood heavyweight Will Smith. Amidst his preparations for a significant Hollywood comeback, he’s gearing up to tackle the issue head-on, ready to provide detailed answers and address all inquiries, particularly during the press tour for the upcoming film Bad Boys 4.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024). Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.

Will Smith to Address Oscar Slap During Bad Boys: Ride or Die Promotions!

According to The Sun, insiders from Will Smith’s team assert that the actor is gearing up to confront the issue head-on as he prepares for his highly anticipated return to Hollywood. It has long been known that Smith will be making a return to the cinemas with one of the most successful franchises of his career, Bad Boys.

Therefore, to truly move forward and immerse himself in what he loves doing, he recognizes the necessity of addressing the elephant in the room, since the slap continues to haunt him in more ways than one to this day. The insider claimed,

“This film is Will’s big comeback and his team are going all out to get him out there. He will deal head on with the slap and how he has changed since then. It’s likely he will also speak about his marriage to Jada, after they secretly split up more than six years ago.”

While the emotions surrounding the Oscars incident have been endlessly dissected and speculated about online, Smith has chosen to keep his account under wraps, waiting for the perfect moment to share it with the world.

Now, audiences will finally receive answers to all the questions that have stemmed from the slapgate, including bombshell revelations from Jada Pinkett Smith’s book regarding their marriage that might have been responsible for that infamous moment.
Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in the Bad Boys: Ride or Die trailer
The source further claimed that the actor has secured appearances on several popular talk shows to promote his upcoming movie, with Smith believing that this will mark the start of his redemption journey. They stated,

“The slap is still a bit of an elephant in the room and Will is going to tackle it head on. He is booked to appear on a number of big US TV shows. People love a redemption story and Will has done a lot of work on himself. He also has a huge fan base who want him back in the thick of the action.”

People are eagerly anticipating delving deep into his psyche and understanding what truly compelled him to take such action in the first place.

Will Smith’s Grand Hollywood Comeback!

In 1995, audiences were introduced to the dynamic detective duo of Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, portrayed by Smith and Lawrence, in the action-packed thriller Bad Boys. Set in Miami, they tackle drug trafficking and various crimes. The success of the first film spawned two sequels.

Now, in the latest installment, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Jacob Scipio reprise their roles from Bad Boys for Life. Filming commenced in April 2023 across Atlanta and Miami (via Collider). Despite a hiatus due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, production resumed and concluded in March 2024, promising another exhilarating chapter in the Bad Boys saga.
Will Smith in Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024). Credit: Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
This film is set to make waves in more ways than one. Not only will the iconic Bad Boys return, but it also signifies Will Smith’s grand comeback to the industry. However, this isn’t the only project brewing for the actor post-slap, I Am Legend 2 is also in the works as per ET. Additionally, Smith serves as a producer on a film called Brilliance whose release date is still under wraps as per Deadline. Despite being banned from the Academy for a decade, Smith shows no signs of slowing down in his career.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die is set to release on June 7th, 2024.