Bad Boys: Ride or Dieoffers some redemption for Jacob Scipio’s assassin Armando, but where does he flee to when the story is over? It’s rare for a franchise to take a nearly 20-year break and come back stronger than ever, but theBad Boysmoviesdid just that. The third installment arrived in 2020 - a good 17 years after the previous entry - and was almost shockingly successful.Bad Boys: Ride or Dieis another box office smash, having grossed over $400 million worldwide (viaBox Office Mojo) and received broadly positive reviews.
The cast ofBad Boys: Ride or Diefeatures the return of Jacob Scipio as Armando, who in the last sequel was revealed to be Mike’s (Will Smith) secret son. Armando caused a lot of damage inBad Boys for Life; he shot Mike multiple times and left him for dead during the opening scene, and later assassinated Mike’s mentor and friend Captain Howard (Joe Pantoliano).Ride or Die’sending offers Armando some redemptionthough, and sets up his potential return in the next chapter.
Bad Boys 5: Will It Happen? Everything We Know
The duo of Martin Lawrence and Will Smith reunited once again in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, but will the action/comedy pair return for Bad Boys 5?
A running thread throughoutBad Boys: Ride or Dieis Howard’s vengeful daughter Judy (Rhea Seehorn) chasing down Mike, Marcus (Martin Lawrence) and Armando after they become fugitives. In the finale, Judy ultimately spares Armando when she catches up to him, as he saved the life of her kidnapped daughter, Callie (Quinn Hemphill). Judy even gives him time to flee, soMike takes Armando to a nearby boat and tells him to “Head south,” before father and son bid each other goodbye.
Cuba is Armando’s most likely destination from Miami, and given his talents, he should have no problem disappearing despite being a wanted fugitive. While he doesn’t quite undo the damage of his deeds inBad Boys for Life,in making peace with both his father and saving Callie Howard - and nearly dying in the process - Armando has earned some good karma.
Armando won’t be invited to Mike and Marcus' next barbeque
Bad Boys: Ride or Diefollows the tradition of theFast & Furioussaga, where one entry’s villain tends to get redeemed in the next film. A key example of this is Jason Statham’s Hobbs, who killed Han (Sung Kang) - although the latter’s condition was eventually reversed - only to be invited to the crew’s family cookout at the end ofThe Fate of the Furious. If a potentialBad Boys 5ever happens, Armando won’t be chilling out with Mike and company though, since he’s still very much on the run.
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Granted, it wasn’thischoice to go on the run after Armando’s prison transport chopper crashed, but he’s still a convicted cop killer. The last scene ofRide or Diefeatures a news report stating authorities are still looking for Armando, confirming a manhunt is still underway.This report also essentially confirms Armando got away too, but it will be interesting to see what becomes of the franchise’s biggest anti-hero if he returnsonce more.
Will Mike and Marcus make a return trip to Cuba?
It’s hard to imagine a fifthBad Boyswon’t happen, givenRide or Die’ssuccess. The most recent entries have been critical and commercial hits, while the chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is as strong as ever. The next film will also need to answer what happened to Armando afterRide or Die, including revealing where he went. If he did end up going to Cuba, this would give the series a wonderful excuse to return there after the explosive finale ofBad Boys II.
Some corners of the fanbase are even calling for a Bad Boys spinoff focusing on Armando and Marcus' son-in-law Reggie…
There are multiple directions the next chapter could explore, butthe idea of Mike starting a family with new spouse Christine (Melanie Liburd) while also trying to connect with his fugitive son Armando would be one angle to take. It’s unlikely Armando will go back to his villainous ways - but it’s hard to picture the former assassin working a normal day job either. Some corners of the fanbase are even calling for a spinoff focusing on Armando and Marcus' son-in-law Reggie (Dennis Greene), especially after the latter’s scene-stealing action sequence inRide or Die.
It would be nice to see Scipio be given even more to do in the series, as he’s been one of the highlights of the recent sequels. Armando is easily one of the most complicated figures in theBad Boysseries too, but it speaks to how well he’s been developed that audiences don’t outright hate him for killing Howard. Whether a future movie can see him fully redeemed is another question.
Reggie’s performer Dennis Greene has only ever acted in theBad Boysfranchise.
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.
