Will Smith’s 'Bad Boys' co-star John Salley reveals actor’s ‘intense’ behind-the-scenes habit
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Retired NBA star John Salley, who co-starred alongside Will Smith in three of the four 'Bad Boys' movies, has shared insights about working with the Oscar-winning actor on set.
Salley, 60, first appeared as hacker-turned-Miami PD technician called Fletcher in the first two films of the action-comedy franchise, The Independent reported. This past summer, he reprised his role in 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die,' the latest installment.
John Salley shares hilarious insight into Will Smith’s intensity on set
While speaking during an episode of the 'Fast Break' podcast with fellow NBA veteran Byron Scott, Salley recalled Smith’s remarkable intensity during filming.
"Will is [intense]. Will knows every line," Salley said.
"So when you’re [doing a scene with Will], you can’t look at him, because his lips are moving. Because he’s saying your line, knowing his line is coming, because that’s how he remembers it," Sally continued.
“He’s like [pretends to mouth lines]. And you’re like, ‘What the f*** is wrong with your lips? I’m saying your line.’ It’s like, ‘I’m gonna say it!’” Salley added, recounting the humorous dynamic between them.
Smith’s acting quirk isn’t new information for fans.
Will Smith's co-stars Tatyana Ali and Karyn Parsons recall him mouthing their lines
During HBO’s 2020 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion' special, Will Smith’s co-stars Tatyana Ali and Karyn Parsons shared similar anecdotes.
Parsons recalled, "I came out, I’m saying it to myself, I’m trying to get through it and just do my thing and keep it together. And you mouthed my lines back to me! For the first time! All rehearsal, you never did it. [But] the night in front of the audience, you went…[mouths words silently]."
Ali added, “You did it to me, too.”
Parsons added, "I was a nervous wreck. I was like, ‘Oh my God!’ However, Smith tried to explain it, saying, " So wait, so my side of that was, when we were on the set of the pilot, that was my first time really doing dialogue."
Parsons replied, "So you did everybody’s dialogue." Will Smith added, "I learned everybody’s! So it’s on the episodes. You can see it on the episodes."
Will Smith's 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' earns praise as a thrilling return
Will Smith, who became one of the biggest movie stars in the early 1990s, has faced a career setback following the 2022 Oscars incident, where he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage for allegedly mocking the actor's wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
However, 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' marks a significant step in his career comeback.
The movie, which teams Smith with Martin Lawrence again, has been well-received by critics. The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey praised the film for being “more nihilistic, maximalist fun” in her three-star review.
'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' has learned a few valuable lessons from the 'Fast & Furious' franchise — dumb and loud, executed with the right enthusiasm, can feel like a warm hug," she wrote.
