Fans worldwide were saddened to learn that Theresa Randle won’t appear in Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die. Randle played the wife of Martin Lawrence’s character in all three previous installments of the Bad Boys franchise. However, she has been recast for Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die, which now features Tasha Smith as Theresa Burnett.
So, let’s dive in and find out why Theresa Randle was recast and Tasha Smith stepped in as Mrs. Burnett.
Why Theresa Randle was replaced by Tasha Smith in Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die
It is currently unclear as to why Theresa Randle has been replaced by Tasha Smith in Bad Boys 4: Ride or Die.
The Bad Boys franchise is now 29 years old, and the names Theresa Randle and Theresa Burnett are synonymous for fans. The actress even reprised her role in the third film, Bad Boys For Life, released in 2020. However, Variety confirmed in May 2023 that Tasha Smith replace Randle in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, not disclosing why.
Moreover, neither Theresa Randle nor the film’s producers provided any reason for this switch. Soon after the announcement, an Instagram video of Randle sitting on a walker, wearing purple latex gloves became viral. According to Atlanta Black Star, this caused fans to speculate that she may not be medically fit to reprise her role.
Some also believe that Theresa Randle has likely stepped down from her acting career. This is because she has not appeared in any recent projects apart from Bad Boys for Life, per a Screen Rant report. That said, there has been no such public statement regarding the same from Randle or her representatives.
Will Theresa Randle return in Bad Boys 5?
There is no such news yet of Theresa Randle returning as Theresa Burnett in Bad Boys 5.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die has just hit the theaters, and Sony hasn’t made any announcements regarding Bad Boys 5. Besides, the ending of the fourth film also doesn’t suggest that the franchise will continue. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Martin Lawrence said that there are no definite plans, but they might just do it if the fans ask for it.
Therefore, it remains unclear that if there is a Bad Boys 5, the role of Theresa Burnett would be reprised by Tasha Smith, or Theresa Randle would make a comeback to the movie franchise once again. After all, it may just be Randle’s personal choice not to return to the film series.
Directed by Adil & Bilall, Bad Boys: Ride or Die hit the theaters on June 7, 2024, and is enjoying success all over the world. Apart from Theresa Randle, the rest of the cast from the franchise have reprised their roles.
