Bad Boys: Ride or Die has brought back some familiar faces, but several major characters are noticeably missing. The fourth installment in the Bad Boys series sees the return of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, respectively. Joe Pantoliano also reprises his role as Captain Howard. While the film has strong ties to Bad Boys II, it serves more as a direct sequel to Bad Boys for Life, bringing back several characters introduced in the 2020 film.
Despite the familiar faces, the absence of several key characters is hard to ignore. Sydney Burnett, played by Gabrielle Union, is one of the most significant omissions. Introduced in Bad Boys II as Marcus’ younger sister and Mike’s love interest, her absence is felt. Although Marcus mentions Mike dating his sister during a wedding reception toast, Sydney herself does not appear in the film. Gabrielle Union’s character has not been seen in a Bad Boys movie since 2003, despite her starring role in the TV spinoff L.A.’s Finest, which was canceled in 2020.
Another surprising absence is Rafe, a character introduced in Bad Boys for Life. The film offers no explanation for his missing presence, leaving fans puzzled. The absence of original characters like Detectives Sanchez, Ruiz, Reyes, and Vargas also raises questions. Their fates remain unexplained, adding to the list of characters missing from the latest installment.
The film’s cast is filled with characters that audiences are already familiar with, but the absence of these key figures is noticeable. The franchise has not brought back these characters for the sequel, despite their significant roles in previous films. This includes the recasting of Theresa Randle, with Tasha Smith stepping in to play Theresa Burnett in this installment.
While the film does feature several returning actors, the absence of these major characters leaves a gap. Fans of the franchise will undoubtedly miss these familiar faces, and their absence raises questions about the direction of the series. The decision to leave out these characters may have been influenced by various factors, but their absence is still felt.
In summary, Bad Boys: Ride or Die is missing several major characters from the franchise’s prior entries. The film brings back an expected cast and group of characters, but not everyone returns. The absence of characters like Sydney Burnett, Rafe, and original detectives leaves fans wondering about their fates. Despite the familiar faces, the film’s ensemble is noticeably incomplete without these key figures.
