Martin Lawrence is set to develop a sequel to the 1999 filmBlue Streak,which had come on the heels of his success with Michael Bay’sBad Boys. The original film, which co-starred Luke Wilson, Dave Chappelle, Peter Greene, Nicole Parker, John Hawkes, Octavia Spencer, Nicole Ari Parker, and William Forsythe, followed a jewel thief who attempts to retrieve a diamond he left behind at a police station, eventually pretending to be an officer, only to inadvertently get partnered with a real detective.Blue Streakhas generally been considereda fan-favorite among Lawrence’s filmography.
Now, a quarter of a century later,Deadlinereports thataBlue Streaksequel is in early development through Lawrence’s production company Run Tel Dat, with Cole Maliska (Quantico,Chicago P.D.) currently writing the screenplay. Alongside Lawrence, who is both starring and producing, the sequel is set to be produced by the actor’s siblings, Robert Lawrence and Rae Proctor, as well as Stacy Lyles and original producer Toby Jaffe via his RDV Films banner. The announcement comes on the heels of Lawrence’s recent success with fellow legacy sequelsBad Boys for LifeandRide or Die.
What Lawrence’s Blue Streak Return Means
The announcement of aBlue Streaksequel comes at an interesting point in Martin Lawrence’s career, following the resurgence oftheBad Boysfranchise. With bothBad Boys for LifeandRide or Dieperforming well at the box office and earning the best reviews of the franchise, the upcoming sequel suggeststhat Lawrence is leaning into familiar roles that resonate with his fanbase. Returning toBlue Streakcould capitalize on the nostalgia audiences feel for his late ’90s and early 2000s comedies while building momentum on his recent success.
43%
24%
75%
Bad Boys: Ride or Die(2024)
64%
While this is the first time Lawrence is collaborating with Maliska, the sequel raises questions about the return of the original cast members, such as Luke Wilson or Dave Chappelle. Wilson has remained active in film and television, including starring inKevin Costner’sHorizon: An American Sagafranchise, while Chappelle’s involvement might be complicated given his controversial public image. Their participation, or lack thereof,could influence audience expectations leading up to the release.
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Interestingly, both the originalBlue StreakandBad Boysmovies were released just four years apart, reflecting a career pattern for Lawrence as he alternates between similar genres. RevisitingBlue Streaknow, withBad Boysback in theaters, creates a fitting parallel between them thatcould help draw audiences familiar with both franchises. Especially as thepossibleBad Boys 5has not yet been greenlit, this new project could fill a gap in the star’s upcoming legacy sequel filmography.
How Blue Streak Performed In Its Original Run
It Was A Solid Success
When it originally premiered on August 11, 2025, it debuted to $19.2 million in its opening weekend before climbing toan overall worldwide gross of $117.7 million. This made it the 35th highest-grossing movie of the year, behind titles such asThe Talented Mr. Ripley($128.8 million) andPokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back($163.6 million). Because movies typically need to earn back two-and-a-half times their budgets in theaters, the $36 million movie’s break-even point was likely somewhere around $90 million, a milestone it sailed past with ease, though the planned direct sequel didn’t come to fruition immediately.
Blue Streakoutgrossed quite a few major movies of 1999 includingShe’s All That($103.2 million),Fight Club($100.8 million),Never Been Kissed($84.6 million), andCruel Intentions($75.9 million).
However,Blue Streakdid not perform quite so well critically. At the time of writing,it holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 35%from 68 reviews, a combination of those that were written at the time and additional analysis that has been penned in the ensuing decades. However, the audience score is significantly higher than the critic score on the platform, earning the movie a Fresh score of 64% from more than 100,000 user ratings. It is likely this core fanbase that the new movie is being designed to target, in addition to those who enjoyed theBad Boyssequels.
Our Take On The Blue Streak Sequel
The development of aBlue Streaksequel presents a timely opportunity for Lawrence to step back into a significant role, particularly as he leans into familiar characters following the success of theBad Boysfranchise. This initiative not onlyaligns with the industry’s current trend of revitalizing established franchisesbut also reflects the potential for engaging material that appeals to a wide audience. If the sequel is treated with care and creativity, it could emerge as a welcome addition to the action-comedy genre, reminding viewers of Lawrence’s enduring comedic talent.
