“Bad Boys” is all about turning up the heat in Miami. The movie franchise that stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence in a classic cop movie, one that continues to hit even almost 30 years later. 

The series is coming out with a fourth film, titled “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” The plot for this edition is about Mike and Marcus, the two characters played by Smith and Lawrence, working to clear their former captain, who has been framed for crimes he did not commit. However, the pair end up at the center of investigation as suspects themselves, and the two are tasked with uncovering a massive conspiracy theory in Miami. 

Part of the allure of the movies is the fact that they are set in South Beach. Miami is an electric environment and makes for a perfect movie setting, between the culture, the artwork and, of course, the beaches. 

The sports in the city also make up a large portion of what keeps Miami beating. Two of the city’s biggest stars are Jimmy Butler and Lionel Messi. The basketball forward for the Heat and the soccer sensation for Inter Miami are not only massive figures in Miami but also in their respective sports. 

A crossover occurred between the entertainment and sporting industry in the lead-up to the “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” release. Butler and Messi were used to help promote the movie in the latest clip published by Sony. It’s led to questions about their roles in the film, and if the two are going to be on the big screen. 

Here is everything to know about Butler and Messi’s involvement in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.”

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Are Jimmy Butler and Lionel Messi in ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’?

Sony released a video on May 27, about two weeks away from the movie set to hit theaters around the country. Viewers were surprised to see two All-Star cameos in the clip, as both Butler and Messi appeared alongside Smith and Lawrence. 

Their appearances sparked speculation that the two athletes would also be starring in the film. However, that does not seem to be the case. 

Butler and Messi are not listed in the cast for the film. Before the latest promo by Sony, neither was tied to the latest “Bad Boys” movie. It would appear as though their involvement with the film is simply for marketing purposes, with the film company fully diving into the Miami theme by having a couple of the largest sporting figures in the city show face ahead of the release. 

‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ trailer 

As mentioned, the video with the two athletes is more of a promo video than a trailer. It doesn’t actually show anything from the film other than Lawrence and Smith riffing back and forth per usual. 

The official trailer for the flick was released on March 26. 

Sony published a final trailer for the latest “Bad Boys” film on May 16. 

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‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ release date

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is set to release in theaters on June 7, 2024. 

It is the fourth film of the movie franchise. The previous titles are “Bad Boys”, “Bad Boys II” and “Bad Boys For Life.”