Bad Boys 5’s Teased Franchise Change Could Help Bring Back A Major Missing Character

Bad Boys 5 could introduce a major change to the franchise, potentially bringing back a missing character. The action-packed series made a triumphant return in 2024 with Bad Boys: Ride or Die, marking the fourth installment starring Will Smith as Mike Lowrey and Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett. The sequel’s success with both critics and at the box office has fueled discussions about Bad Boys 5. Early speculation has already hinted at intriguing possibilities for the film’s direction.

Bad Boys 5 Leaving Miami Could Help Gabrielle Union’s Syd Return

One of the biggest changes being considered is shifting the franchise’s primary location away from Miami. While previous installments such as Bad Boys II, Bad Boys for Life, and Bad Boys: Ride or Die featured scenes outside of Miami, Florida remained the central setting. However, the directors of Bad Boys: Ride or Die have expressed interest in exploring international locations like London, Paris, or Asia. Additionally, co-writer Chris Bremner suggested the Middle East or Southeast Asia as potential settings for Bad Boys 5. If this happens, it could provide an opportunity to bring back a major missing character—Gabrielle Union’s Sydney “Syd” Burnett.

Gabrielle Union’s character, Syd, was introduced in Bad Boys II, where she traveled to Miami for a mission but was originally based in New York. She later relocated to Los Angeles and became a member of the LAPD, as depicted in the spin-off TV series L.A.’s Finest. Syd’s extensive travels, including a trip to Cuba in Bad Boys II, make her one of the franchise’s most well-traveled characters.

The trailer for Bad Boys 4 reintroduces familiar faces, but Gabrielle Union’s Syd remains absent. If Bad Boys 5 takes Mike and Marcus to a different city or country, it could serve as the perfect opportunity for her return. The franchise has continuously overlooked chances to bring her back to Miami, but shifting the setting to an international location could change that. The story could explain that Syd has moved and is working on the same case that takes Mike and Marcus out of Miami. If Marcus knows his sister is in their new location, it would make sense for Syd to assist her brother and former boyfriend in adjusting to their new surroundings.

Gabrielle Union’s Bad Boys 5 Return Can Fulfill Will Smith’s Broken Promise

No matter the reason for her return, including Gabrielle Union’s Syd in Bad Boys 5 would fulfill a promise made by Will Smith. While promoting Bad Boys for Life in 2020, Smith assured fans that Union’s character would return in future Bad Boys movies, implying her return in Bad Boys 4. However, that did not happen, and her absence was noticeable, especially after Bad Boys: Ride or Die referenced Syd.

Since Smith’s promise has yet to be realized, Bad Boys 5 would be the perfect time to make it happen. Even if the film remains set in Miami, Syd’s return could still be plausible, as visiting her family would not be unusual. However, the idea of Mike, Marcus, and Syd collaborating on an international mission would add a fresh and exciting element to the franchise. It would distinguish Bad Boys 5 from its predecessors while finally bringing back a beloved character who has been missing for far too long.

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