Will Smith set to star in a Michael Bay disaster we’ve already seen 85 times

Will Smith and Michael Bay are reuniting for their third collaboration with the upcoming film Fast & Loose, which is generating buzz due to their successful partnership on the Bad Boys franchise. Their first collaboration, Bad Boys (1995), marked both Smith’s first leading role and Bay’s directorial debut. They followed up with the even more successful Bad Boys II in 2003.

In Fast & Loose, Smith will portray a man who wakes up with no memory, only to discover he leads a perilous double life. He will embody two identities: a notorious crime kingpin and an undercover CIA agent. While the premise is reminiscent of numerous films that have explored similar themes—like Unknown (2011) with Liam Neeson and The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996) with Geena Davis—this narrative approach has become somewhat of a familiar trope in cinema.

Despite the recycled plotline, the reunion makes sense as Smith has seen a resurgence in popularity through the Bad Boys films, which have been positively received and helped rehabilitate his public image following the incident with Chris Rock at the Oscars. However, there are concerns that relying too heavily on nostalgia could become tiresome.

Smith has enjoyed a notable comeback with projects like Bad Boys for Life (2021) and the forthcoming Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024). Yet, he faces the challenge of not becoming too typecast in retro action roles, especially after the disappointing performance of Gemini Man (2019).

As they move forward with Fast & Loose, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see if the duo can conjure the same magic they created with Bad Boys while navigating the well-trodden waters of the amnesia thriller genre.