The Bad Boys franchise, starring the formidable duo of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, has been a commercial success since its inception in 1995. The first film introduced audiences to the Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, setting the stage for the sequels Bad Boys II in 2003 and Bad Boys for Life in 2020. The franchise's winning formula of dynamic chemistry and action-packed adventures has made it a staple in action-comedy cinema, setting high expectations for the upcoming Bad Boys 4.

Recognizing the need to make a bold statement, Sony decided to elevate our traditional hand painted advertising murals. Instead, they requested we incorporate glow-in-the-dark elements to create a striking visual effect that would be captivating both day and night. The mural depicted Smith and Lawrence in their roles as Lowrey and Burnett, set against a black backdrop with large, vibrant, and colorful fluorescent letters, filled with scenes from the film, spelling out BAD BOYS. 

To achieve this effect, our walldogs worked tirelessly into the night, bringing the artwork to life and ensuring the bright colors would punch at night. They utilized orange, green, and pink fluorescent colors to highlight the backdrop. Some areas were further enhanced with specialty UV paints. In contrast, sections that did not receive neon and translucent paint treatments were intentionally left darker, starkly contrasting the glowing elements. 

The mural was painted on our LA-08 Unit, which is equipped with new lighting fixtures and is located on Venice's iconic Windward Ave. between Pacific Ave. and Speedway in Venice Beach. An area known for its quirky atmosphere, amidst street performers, great nightlife spots like Townhouse and Winston House, and attractions such as the Venice Electric Light Parade, makes this wallscape a perfect location for a glow-in-the-dark mural.

Our team of skilled painters worked through the week and found themselves becoming main characters for beachgoers, tourists, and anyone looking to observe the painting's magic in real-time and add some awesome content to their social media feeds. The mural drew significant attention, transforming an already impressive art piece into a dazzling display. Passersby were especially in awe of the actors’ painted portraits and frequently stopped to take photos and share them online, effectively amplifying the campaign's reach. 

From the mural's creation to its final product, more than 500,000 individuals interacted with the artwork, using their phones to document and share their experiences. This encouraged them and their followers to head to their local theater to catch the latest Bad Boys film!

See it in action on our Instagram.