The trades are reporting that Columbia Pictures is now developing Bad Boys III. The studio has hired Peter Craig to write the screenplay with no promise that director Michael Bay, or stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence will return. The plan is simply to get a script done, and if it’s good enough, eventually, everyone will agree to reunite and make the movie.

The original 1995 Bad Boys was Bay’s first movie and didn’t leave too much of a huge mark on the cinema world — it received mediocre reviews and only scored $66 Million at the box office. Bad Boys II was made when Michael Bay was a hell of a lot more Michael Bay-ier and came with all the spectacular bangs and booms that netted it a more respectable $138 Million box office take. Consensus on the movies seems to be fairly split: you either think they’re a lot of popcorn fun, or you hate them with a passion. Considering the current star of Will Smith and how much money Bay’s movies make (not to mention his desire to step away from giant robots), this could actually make some sense.

The movies follow partner Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, who always find themselves smack in the middle of the very worst of the worst criminal activities and among the most dangerous of people. Through a lot of missteps and silly banter, not to mention the un-Godly amount of damage and destruction, they always ultimately find a way to win out and see justice served.

Writer Peter Craig is relatively new to the game, but is quickly gaining a lot of work. He wrote the new Ben Affleck directed and starring film The Town, and is also working on the live-action Cowboy Bebop project, which has Keanu Reeves attached.

What do you folks think; are we ready for another ride with Bad Boys, or is there zero interest? I’m personally not huge on the first one, but think the second is a lot of good mindless fun (like most Bay movies). I’d rather see another Bad Boys than another Transformers, that’s for sure.

[Source: THR]