Here, once again, come the “Men In Black.” Deadline reports that Sony Pictures has a new installment for the alien-hunting franchise in mind, with “Bad Boys For Life” scribe Chris Bremner attached to pen the script. And with Bremner involved, one would surmise that means Will Smith is gearing up to return to the franchise, too.
Let’s not get too ahead of things, though. Sources tell Deadline that Smith isn’t attached to the project yet, and won’t commit to it until he reads the script. If he does sign on, though, it’ll be Smith’s first “MiB” film since the third one from 2012; the actor wasn’t involved at all in 2019’s “Men In Black: International,” a modest box-office success.
So what does Bremner have in mind for his script? Given his relationship with Smith, Agent J must be involved somehow, but it’s not clear if it would be as a main role or a supporting one. In any case, J will be part of the first draft: another chance for Smith to further burnish his Hollywood persona after his Oscars fiasco three years ago.
And in all honesty, it’s a bit of a surprise Smith and Sony haven’t plumbed the “MiB” well since the actor slapped Chris Rock in the face at the 2022 awards show, as it’s the actor’s most successful franchise next to “Bad Boys.” “Men In Black” has made $1.904 billion at the global box office over four films; granted, Smith starred in only three of those, but based on those numbers, a new “MiB” could feasibly be an easy success story for the actor.
This project is still in the early stages, though, so much so that no producers are attached to it yet. However, the previous “MiB” movies were produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, with Steven Spielberg also executive producing. Let’s see if they board the film if it gains steam.
Meanwhile, Bremner has become Smith’s favorite screenwriter after penning two mega-successful “Bad Boys” sequels. Bremner also writes Smith’s upcoming Netflix actioner “Fast & Loose.” “King Ivory” director John Swab helms that one after Michael Bay dropped out over creative differences with Smith.
Stay tuned for more details about “Men In Black 5.” Our guess is this one takes a while to germinate, much like another Smith sequel in the works, “I Am Legend 2.”
