Theresa Randle’s dubious recasting for Bad Boys: Ride or Die has raised the eyebrows of some fans who are wondering about the actor switch. Randle debuted the role of Theresa Burnett, wife to Martin Lawrence’s Marcus Burnett, in the first Bad Boys back in 1995. The actress later reprised her role in Bad Boys II and 2020’s Bad Boys for Life. Because of Randle’s previous reprisal of her Bad Boys role, it was surprising not to see the actress return in Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Theresa Burnett is still a key character in the franchise sequel, as she and Marcus have kids together who play important roles in Ride or Die. Taking over for Randle in Bad Boys: Ride or Die is Tasha Smith, an actress known for her work in projects such as The Whole Ten Yards and Empire. But as Bad Boys: Ride or Die continues its box office run in theaters, the question remains as to why Randle was recast for Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Theresa Randle’s Bad Boys 4 Recasting Reason Has Not Been Confirmed

Neither Randle Nor The Bad Boys Team Have Spoken On The Recasting

Despite Randle’s departure from Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the actress has not spoken about her exit from the Bad Boys franchise or given a reason for her absence. Back in May 2023, over a year before the release of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Smith’s casting as Theresa Burnett was announced for the fourth film. In that entire time, however, no one involved in Bad Boys: Ride or Die has commented as to why Randle did not return for the film. This leaves her exact reason for leaving the franchise up in the air, and open to speculation.

Theresa Randle Has Mostly Retired From Acting

The Actress Has Not Had a Role Since Bad Boys for Life

One potential theory as to why Randle did not appear in Bad Boys: Ride or Die is that she may have retired from acting. Back when the first Bad Boys was released, the actress was 31 years old and had an active career. She had made her debut in her 20s, acting in the films Maid to Order and Near Dark. By the time Bad Boys rolled around, Randle had already acted in some major projects, including the films Jungle Fever and Malcolm X. Released in the ‘90s, Bad Boys came out during the height of Randle’s career.

In contrast, Randle has not acted in anything since Bad Boys for Life in 2020. This notable gap in work suggests that Randle may have decided to retire her acting career entirely, choosing not to take on new projects such as Bad Boys: Ride or Die. But much like her curious absence from the Bad Boys film, neither Randle nor anyone on the team has confirmed the actress’ retirement.

However, her lack of roles since Bad Boys for Life is not the only reason to think that Randle may have retired from acting. Even before the Bad Boys threequel, Randle had not had a role on screen in a decade, when she worked in the independent film Shit Year in 2010. This sizable gap is even more evidence that Randle may have left her acting days behind her, even if she or those around her have not confirmed it.

Theresa Has A Smaller Role In Bad Boys: Ride Or Die After The Recasting

This Small Role Could Be Due to Theresa Randle’s Absence

While she was still in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Theresa Burnett had a smaller part in the film. In previous renditions of Bad Boys, Theresa and her relationship with Marcus were a more prominent piece of the plot, but in Ride or Die, the character takes the backseat. As in the case of the other elements of Randle’s absence, it is unclear whether this decision had anything to do with the recasting of the role. Randle had become pretty synonymous with the character of Theresa Burnett, so that casualty is far from out of the question.

How much Theresa will feature in a potential Bad Boys 5 or any other rendition of the series remains to be seen, as another sequel has not yet been confirmed. Younger characters Reggie and Armando were the most popular elements of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, so the series could likely pivot to focus on these characters. In that case, the role of Theresa Burnett could continue to take a backseat or even fade out of the series. If so, Randle’s Bad Boys recasting will end up being a relatively inconsequential aspect of the overall series.