The following contains spoilers for Bad Boys: Ride or Die, now playing in theaters

One of the best scenes in Bad Boys: Ride or Die reveals that Reggie is a far bigger badass than anyone could have expected. The Bad Boys films have always thrived on fusing snappy jokes with bombastic action, finding a balance between huge set-pieces alongside the banter between Will Smith’s Mike and Martin Lawence’s Marcus. It’s especially fun when the pair find a target for their wisecracks, such as Reggie. Played by Dennis McDonald (who is one of the returning cast members of Bad Boys: Ride or Die), Reggie became Marcus’ son-in-law in Bad Boys For Life after a memorable appearance in Bad Boys II.

Initially, it seemed like he was going to be following the same trajectory in the latest entry to the series. Instead, directors Adil & Bilall took a huge unexpected turn with the character, reinventing Reggie into a very different kind of figure who can even get the last laugh in Bad Boys: Ride or Die‘s ending. Not only did the scene surprise me in the best kind of way, it also set up Reggie as a possible key player in future entries of the Bad Boys franchise.

Reggie’s Action Scene In Bad Boys: Ride Or Die Makes Him A Deadly Killer

Reggie Goes From Comic Relief To Certified Badass In A Single Scene

I still can’t get over Reggie’s big action scene in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which might be the highlight of the entire movie. After escaping McGrath’s efforts to get them killed repeatedly, Mike and Marcus find out that he intends to capture their loved ones to force their hand. The pair are able to warn Reggie right before McGrath’s forces show up at the house, giving the Marine enough time to arm himself for their arrival. What follows is a wild sequence, where Reggie turns out to be arguably one of the most effective fighters in the series.

After Bad Boys: Ride or Die reinforced his oddly permissive attitude and comically deadpan delivery earlier in the film, I was convinced he was just being used for comic relief. Instead, Bad Boys: Ride or Die threw me (and audiences across the world) for a loop by revealing that Reggie is an incredible soldier, who can take down fifteen trained killers all on his own. He even impresses Mike and Marcus, who end the film by giving up the grill to him in a sign of unexpected respect. It’s a fantastic and frankly shocking beat, especially after how the series has previously used Reggie.

Bad Boys 4’s Version Of Reggie Is Way Better After His Bad Boys II Role

Reggie Could Even Be The Future Of The Bad Boys Franchise

Reggie debuted in Bad Boys II as more of a punchline than an actual character. The shy teenager’s efforts to ask out Marcus’ daughter led to some memorable gags at his expense, which only continued in the subsequent Bad Boys For Life when he married her. McDonald’s underplayed performance was always a fan favorite, and his appearance in Bad Boys II remains one of the funniest scenes in the film. However, I wasn’t expecting Reggie to get such a bombastic showcase. It’s a very impressive showing from the character, and an incredibly strong showcase for McDonald as a prospective action star.

McDonald spoke about the scene during an interview with Entertainment Weekly, and revealed that he’d love to see Reggie team up in future films with Mike’s illegitimate son (and fellow Bad Boys badass) Armando. After Reggie’s showcase in the fourth Bad Boys film, I’m inclined to agree. I’m not the only one either, as fans have been calling for Reggie to get his own Bad Boys spin-off. If there’s ever a need for Mike and Marcus to hang up their guns for good after the events of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, then Reggie and Armando are definitely up to carry the franchise’s legacy of explosive action forward

Source: Entertainment Weekly