New ‘Men in Black’ Movie in the Works at Sony

Chris Bremner is at work on a script for a new franchise entry with hopes that Will Smith might return to star –– or at least hand over the specs.

(L to R): Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in 'Men in Black.' Photo: Sony Pictures.

Preview:

Sony is developing a new ‘Men in Black’ movie.
‘Bad Boys for Life’ writer Chris Bremner is at work on the script.
The studio is hoping Will Smith might return.

‘Men in Black’ is one of those legacy franchise that Sony doesn’t want lingering on a shelf. Despite a less-than-successful attempt to expand it via 2019’s Chris Hemsworth-starring ‘Men In Black: International,’ the studio is trying again with a new movie.

Men in Black

"Protecting the Earth from the scum of the universe."

PG-13Adventure Action Comedy Science Fiction

Audience
Score

Release Date: Jul 2, 1997

Run Time: 1 hr 38 min

Budget: $90,000,000

Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino

Watch Men in Black Online

And on the heels of success with revisiting the ‘Bad Boys’ franchise, ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’ and ‘Bad Boys for Life’ co-writer Chris Bremner is now aboard to craft this next potential entry, per Deadline.

What’s the story of ‘Men in Black’?

Will Smith in 'Men in Black.' Photo: Sony Pictures.

The original 1997 movie –– which was a huge hit, and one of those that helped cement Will Smith as a star –– adapted the graphic novel whose concept was of a police force on Earth that kept the planet safe from alien issues, and managed extraterrestrial residents.

Smith starred as the wise-cracking Agent J, recruited from the NYPD, who partnered up with Tommy Lee Jones’ grumpy K.

2002’s ‘Men in Black II’ wasn’t as big of a success, but it still did well, and was followed by 2012’s ‘Men in Black 3’, which introduced time travel.

As mentioned, ‘Men in Black: International’, which looked to extend the story in new directions, wasn’t embraced by audiences on the same level.

What will the new 'Men in Black' movie be about?

(L to R): Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith in 'Men in Black.' Photo: Sony Pictures.

Details are few and far between as to exactly how Bremner’s effort will continue the story. Will it look to craft another chapter, a la ‘International,’ or will it stay within the confines of the usual ‘MIB’ New York world? We’ll have to wait and see.

According to Deadline, the draft that’s currently being written will include Agent J somehow, and that Smith will be among the first to see it (since he’ll want approval of any screenplay before he considers signing on), but there’s no word on whether that means he’ll be the focus again or if it’ll be more along the lines of ‘Tron: Ares’ where an original star simply cameos.