Now that Columbia Pictures has green-lit 'Men in Black 3' -- the first new installment in the sci-fi comedy franchise since 2002 -- the question is whether Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones will be lured into a reprise of their roles as Agents J and K.
What is known is Barry Sonnenfeld, who helmed the first two 'MIB' flicks back in 1997 and 2002, is attached to the director's chair for a third time. It's a comfortable seat, given the combined global grosses of the 'MIB' brand have already topped $1 billion.
Variety and the Hollywood Reporter also announced today that 'Madagascar' and 'Tropic Thunder' scribe Etan Cohen -- already sleuthing through a 'Sherlock Holmes' screenplay project for Sasha Baron Cohen and Will Farrell -- is rushing to complete a draft of an 'MIB 3' script.
Conventional wisdom suggests that Columbia wouldn't press on with 'MIB 3' if Smith was absolutely uninterested in another go-around in dark sunglasses. That said, he hasn't committed to the project, either, and could be waiting to see what funny-fantastical storyline Cohen unearths. Jones' participation in 'MIB 3' also remains unclear, though he could waiting to see what big Will decides to do.
Expect the cameras to roll near the top of 2010 should Smith sign on. Yes, he'll probably rap, too.
What is known is Barry Sonnenfeld, who helmed the first two 'MIB' flicks back in 1997 and 2002, is attached to the director's chair for a third time. It's a comfortable seat, given the combined global grosses of the 'MIB' brand have already topped $1 billion.
Variety and the Hollywood Reporter also announced today that 'Madagascar' and 'Tropic Thunder' scribe Etan Cohen -- already sleuthing through a 'Sherlock Holmes' screenplay project for Sasha Baron Cohen and Will Farrell -- is rushing to complete a draft of an 'MIB 3' script.
Conventional wisdom suggests that Columbia wouldn't press on with 'MIB 3' if Smith was absolutely uninterested in another go-around in dark sunglasses. That said, he hasn't committed to the project, either, and could be waiting to see what funny-fantastical storyline Cohen unearths. Jones' participation in 'MIB 3' also remains unclear, though he could waiting to see what big Will decides to do.
Expect the cameras to roll near the top of 2010 should Smith sign on. Yes, he'll probably rap, too.
Reader Comments (14)
Carols Ray at 3:59PM on Oct 30th 2009
They better reprise there rolls!!!
Gary at 3:25PM on Oct 31st 2009
Where did you go to school?
2BuckChuck at 2:42PM on Oct 31st 2009
Who cares whether or not Smith signs on or not. The story is not about him and he sucks anyways. He is a hero in his own mind alone. The movie could probably do just as well without him.
Lotte at 3:35PM on Oct 31st 2009
Oooooh, another 'hater'.
If you don't like HIM, you cannot have liked the previous two movies. Obviously you only showed up to do your little hate routine. YOU are irrelevant.
I hope Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones will both agree to return...the first two MIB movies are some of the most fun to be had!
Now go ahead and hate on me, mr. upchuck!
David at 3:41PM on Oct 31st 2009
This has nothing to do with the film.
annie at 3:22PM on Oct 31st 2009
makissyoubaby10, 1) What school did you go to? Did they not teach reading? Please keep your comments relevant to Men In Black 3 Will Smith Etan Cohen blog entry.
2) What makes you think anyone would want to see your fat ass, naked or covered? POst your crap sites elsewhere. WE DONT WANT TO READ IT! ! ! !
Margaret at 3:25PM on Oct 31st 2009
2BuckChuck sounds like a bigot. Didn't say anything about Tommy Lee Jones did you? Pathetic.
That being said, I LOVE this series and hope both of the stars come back to reprise their roles. Excellent chemistry between Smith & Jones (LOL @ the last names together). And bring back Linda Fiorentino ... she was very cool in her role as well.
CJ Potvin at 3:36PM on Oct 31st 2009
my name is CJ and i saw the first Men In Black when i was only six years old. i saw the second installment when i was 11. needless to say the first two films have been more of a comedy than anything else. however, a giant roach eating tommy lee jones would make any 6 year olds skin crawl. what im getting at is, i would like to see the third installment take a little bit more of a darker role than the previous films. maybe throw in some foul language and a maybe a little gore. i think that a sci-fi thriller MIB would be a huge hit in the box office, especially for those who grew up with the movies like myself.
chris at 3:33PM on Oct 31st 2009
this should kick butt
Teacher at 3:51PM on Oct 31st 2009
Let's go put it on.
Put what on?
The last suit you're ever gonna wear ...again...well, for the third time....sh*t, this ain't workin' for me.......REWRITE!!
CAT at 5:23PM on Oct 31st 2009
I have one word for you ending in a couple eases...GROSS!
2BuckChuck at 6:00PM on Oct 31st 2009
Lotte, Margaret,You are right, I didn't like the first two, mostly because of Smith being in it. I know Will Smith, he is a prick, a loud mouth and he has no method to his acting what so ever. Any part that Smith portrays is just Will Smith in another costume, no character, no substance. Margaret, I said nothing about Tommy Lee Jones because the article makes it sound that the whole project depends on Smith's participation. As for being a bigot, Margaret you are obviously one in high standing. Lotte, as for being a hater, I don't hate Will, I just don't like the Prick very much, and most people that know him do not like him either.
Laura at 6:33PM on Oct 31st 2009
OK, you apparently do not like Will Smith. You write as though it is a personal issue you have with him. Maybe he is a prick - who cares? I can't stand listening to Charlie Sheen's politics, and have no respect for the way he has conducted himself in his personal life - but, I like "Two and a Half Men". It's an escape. That's why they call it entertainment, and Will Smith (and Mr.
Sheen) do it very well. That's why they are stars.
John F.C. Taylor at 7:31PM on Oct 31st 2009
Cohen and Fa[e?]rrell doing Sherlock Holmes? I sincerely hope not. Definitely NOT a subject for a comedy treatment. Especially if Fa[e?]rrell is in the movie. Haven't seen one movie he's made that wasn't overacted to the extreme.