Not too many people remember that Michael Bay's directorial debut was "Bad Boys" in 1995. Now that the third installment is being prepared 19 years later, will he return to helm it, especially since Will Smith is reportedly agreeable to reprise his Mike Lowrey role?

"Bad Boys 3" became a real concept when Martin Lawrence boldly made the announcement on "Conan." His claim (posted by The Guardian):

"I just talked to [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer yesterday and he said its real, they're working on the script, they're getting close and it all looks good."

The Guardian also noted that Lawrence posted on Twitter calling for a third film way back in July and asking Smith to get involved. "11 years ago today, Bad Boys II was released in theatres. Feelin' it's about time for number 3... what do you think Will Smith?"

It wasn't such an outlandish idea, and they have actually thought about another sequel years ago. Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed that to Collider:

"It's so funny because we'll get Sony real excited to make the movie, and then Will [Smith] is off doing two movies. And then, Will will come back and be real excited about it, and Sony will say, 'Well, maybe it's not the time for this.'"

Bruckheimer said the Sony's interest was no longer in doubt especially after US box office success of the similarly themed comedy "Ride Along" earlier this year:

"And then, Ride Along came out and was a big hit, and now they're all excited to make the movie, but Will is off doing something else. It's just trying to get everybody together to make it. But, we're working on the script. We have a lot of faith and hope that we'll do it."

Will Smith had a couple of misses last year culminating with "After Earth" bombing out with both the critics and the box office. Perhaps rejoining a franchise could reassure his status.

Michael Bay is still a question, though. His latest Transformers movie broke $ 1 billion worldwide despite reaching a domestic low for the franchise.  Wisely utilizing the Chinese market for world take of $ 763 million, it was enough to propel the $ 241.2 domestic take to the Billion mark.