Tropic Thunder’s Cohen Hired to Write Men in Black 3

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on October 29, 2009

meninblack-header

Sony isn’t kidding about Men in Black 3. Even in a sea of uncertainty, including the fact that stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, as well as director Barry Sonnenfeld, all have not been secured for another film, the studio is hiring a writer and looking toward a 2010 start date for the third film in the sci-fi comedy franchise that has grossed just over a billion dollars worldwide with its first two frames.

According to THR’s Risky Business, Tropic Thunder and Idiocracy co-writer Etan Cohen has been hired to pen a script for the upcoming threequel. The THR report states that Cohen is already deep into his draft, which according to them signifies that Sony intends to continue the franchise’s top-tier status. And why wouldn’t they? The first two Men in Black films, quality aside, were major breadwinners in 1997 and 2002. And we can be sure that there’s plenty more story to be told in the world of secret agents who travel the world in the shadows, patrolling for real illegal aliens.

To be completely honest — this news wouldn’t bother me so much if it didn’t seem to be preemptive. If Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones sign on, I won’t have a problem getting on board the “wait and see” wagon. I liked the first two MIB films for what they were — a little cheezeball, but ultimately entertaining. And lets face it, Oscar-chaser Will Smith could use a simple summer hit after the abysmal bore that was Seven Pounds.

Ed Solomon wrote the script for the first Men in Black (which featured one of my all-time favorite Vincent D’Onofrio performances as the main villain), while Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro penned the second film.

Related Reading:

Comment Policy: No hate speech allowed. If you must argue, please debate intelligently. Comments containing selected keywords or outbound links will be put into moderation to help prevent spam. Film School Rejects reserves the right to delete comments and ban anyone who doesn't follow the rules. We also reserve the right to modify any curse words in your comments and make you look like an idiot. Thank You!

ltob86

The first MIB was a classic SciFi dark comedy, while the second was a cinematic atrocity seemingly adapted from the equally bad, but forgivable, kid-friendly cartoon spin-off. They should not share the same genre, let alone title.

That said, its possible that the creators recognize how bad the sequel was and will go back to the roots, as several franchises have done successfully in recent years. I'll give it a chance if it looks like its heading in that direction.

edwardzarnawski

Please not another MIB movie! The first one was okay. The Second one was horrible. Why bother making part three? I wish they would put the money and time spent on garbage like this into something new and different. Sure maybe that effort would crap the bed, but atlest it wouldn't add to a string of dissapointment. I could also do without another Will Smith comedy performance. I realize that a lot of people like him, I am not one of them. One word "Overated". While he has turned in some decent dramatic performances his comedic endevors are one-note, usually annoying, over the top african american stereotypes. Furthermore, a terrific actor like Tommy Lee Jones should not waste his talent churning out "pocorn movies" like the Men In Black franchise.

ERoBB

Will Smith needs a simple summer hit? Really? Thats what his entire career has been.

But the first MIB was good enough for me to forgive number 2, I'll watch a third.

Kangaroo Be Stoned

"Tropic Thunder" is golden so I welcome a third "Men in Black". I don't remember much about the second film but I do remember the first pretty well. Bring it on!

Aleric

if you cant remember the second movie then that tells you how good it was.

Tropic Thunder’s Cohen Hired to Write Men in Black 3

Related Topics:

Related Reading: