Bad Boys 3 could soon be on the way, according to one half of the franchise’s titular double act, Martin Lawrence.

Appearing on the Conan O’Brien show, Lawrence was asked whether the long-rumoured second sequel was actually happening, and revealed that Jerry Bruckheimer has assured him it is.

“I believe so, yes,” said Lawrence when the question was asked. “I just talked to Jerry Bruckheimer yesterday and he said its real, they’re working on the script, they’re getting close and it all looks good.”

Up until this point, Will Smith has remained conspicuously quiet, and one of the major obstacles for any sequel will be the ability to meet his fee. Because after all, if Smith isn’t involved, there isn’t really much point.

Still, fans of the series can be encouraged that the wheels are in motion on this one, and one would imagine that for a script to be greenlit, Smith must have made some noises about coming aboard, at least in private. Watch this space…