Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are teaming up again for the Bad Boys sequel

NEW YORK (AP) – Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are collaborating on a fourth ‘Bad Boys’ movie in one of Smith’s most high-profile new projects since the slap.

Sony Pictures announced Tuesday that the untitled sequel to Bad Boys is in early pre-production. In a video posted to Instagram, Smith filmed driving to Lawrence’s home. Smith hugs at the door and exclaims, “It’s about time!”

Development on the sequel to Bad Boys, which follows 2020’s Bad Boys for Life, was reportedly put on hold after Smith met Chris Rock at the Academy Awards last March. But last May, Sony Pictures chief Tom Rothman denied those reports.

“There weren’t any brakes to pump because the car wasn’t moving,” Rothman said. “That was a very unfortunate thing that happened and I don’t think it’s really up to me to comment, other than to say I’ve known Will Smith for many years and I know he’s a good person . That was an example of a very good person having a very bad moment in front of the whole world. I believe his apologies and regrets are genuine and I believe in forgiveness and redemption.”

Just before the pandemic closed theaters, Bad Boys for Life was a box office hit, grossing $426 million worldwide. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer returns for the fourth film, as do Bad Boys For Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah.