By Steven Zeitchik and Borys Kit Steven Zeitchik And Borys Kit – Fri Oct 30, 12:16 am ET
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The men in black are massing.
Sony Pictures is moving forward on "MIB 3," the third movie in its sci-comedy franchise.
"Tropic Thunder" writer Etan Cohen is penning the script, and Barry Sonnenfeld, who directed the first two films, is said to be attached to the new installment, though there is no formal deal or offer as yet.
The studio is eyeing a 2010 start date for the production.
The X factor remains Will Smith. The A-lister, who starred with Tommy Lee Jones in the first two "Men in Black" films, has not committed to the project, though in recent days the buzz in development circles has been that he is interested in returning. Smith does not have a pending movie project lined up.
Jones' involvement is uncertain.
Sony announced in April that it would bring back the tale of covert, pseudonymous agents who stalk the earth fighting disguised aliens, zapping beasts and memories as they go.
"MIB" has proved to be one of the most successful comedy franchises of all time. The two pictures -- which came out in 1997 and 2002 -- combined to earn nearly $1.1 billion worldwide.
The addition of Cohen, who is said to be deep into his draft, signifies the studio's intention to maintain the franchise's top-tier status. The writer is a hot commodity, penning the sequel to "Madagascar" and the Will Ferrell-toplined Sherlock Holmes project, as well as "Thunder."
Ed Solomon wrote the script for the first "Men in Black," and Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro penned the second film.
Sonnenfeld has been concentrating on TV of late, inking a deal with ABC and ABC studios, and executive producing the dark comedy series "Pushing Daisies." His last feature was the Robin Williams-starring "RV."
(Editing by SheriLinden at Reuters)
Chris
cardsfan111
10-30-09, 12:56 PM
Can't say I'm too excited about this, regardless if they are able to bring back Smith/Jones. The second installment was a good step down from the original.
edstein
10-30-09, 12:57 PM
I think movie can be made without Jones but you must have Smith to make it a true summer blockbuster.
KillerCannibal
10-30-09, 01:02 PM
I'm ok with this as long as it's as fun as the first film. Total guilty pleasure of mine.
RichC2
10-30-09, 01:57 PM
The first was great, the second was a disaster. It'll take one hell of a trailer to sell me on this one.
UAIOE
10-30-09, 01:58 PM
If it totally ignores the 2nd movie, this would be great.
MinLShaw
10-30-09, 02:10 PM
Ever since Will Smith made Ali, he's been too intense on-screen to be the light, fun presence that he used to be. This, I think, is a big part why the second film disappointed me. He's always had a certain swagger about him, but it's like after playing "The Greatest," it stopped being a fun swagger. If he can't get the fun back, then I don't see him contributing anything helpful to this project.
That all said, of course, I'm interested. It remains to be seen whether this is a theatrical-must or a DVD-maybe-later.
fumanstan
10-30-09, 02:10 PM
I guess i'm alone in actually enjoying the 2nd movie; I found just as many humorous things in it that I did in the first one. I'd welcome a 3rd with Will Smith back.
clckworang
10-30-09, 02:57 PM
I didn't care much for either of the previous films, but I'm sure I would watch the third at some point if they made it.
NiCK Crush
10-30-09, 03:43 PM
I'd rather see Bad Boys 3
Deftones
10-30-09, 03:47 PM
Will Ferrell...Sherlock Holmes? Wut?
milo bloom
10-30-09, 05:51 PM
What is this "Men in Black 2" that everyone keeps speaking of?
Now the animated series...
calhoun07
10-30-09, 08:24 PM
The animated series was awesome. They need to make a movie version of that.
And I didn't think 2 was THAT awful. It certainly wasn't Spider-Man 3 bad.
raven56706
10-30-09, 09:17 PM
I'd rather see Bad Boys 3
i second that
GuessWho
10-30-09, 10:46 PM
MiB3?
Aww, hell no.
rennervision
10-31-09, 12:17 AM
I guess i'm alone in actually enjoying the 2nd movie; I found just as many humorous things in it that I did in the first one. I'd welcome a 3rd with Will Smith back.
I've also wondered about all the hate. Found it to be a fun sequel with plenty of enjoyable moments - better than, say, Ghostbusters 2. And Frank the dog stole the show.
MinLShaw
10-31-09, 12:20 AM
I've also wondered about all the hate.
Me, too...
Found it to be a fun sequel with plenty of enjoyable moments - better than, say, Ghostbusters 2.
Preach on...
And Frank the dog stole the show.
Oh. Yeah. That. I think I can shed some light on that hate we were wondering about...
Charlie Goose
10-31-09, 12:45 AM
I thought MiB2 was okay, not as good as the first one of course. And Lara Flynn Boyle looked insanely hot, probably for the last time in her life. A third one could be enjoyable, as long as they come up with new gags and not beat old ones into the ground.
JumpCutz
10-31-09, 12:51 AM
Disliked both entries in this series. Rosario Dawson in the sequel gives one of the worst performance of all time. She is just dreadful. :lol:
UAIOE
10-31-09, 03:09 AM
MiB3?
Aww, hell no.
Post of the year, close the thread.
Lemmy
10-31-09, 12:03 PM
I've also wondered about all the hate. Found it to be a fun sequel with plenty of enjoyable moments - better than, say, Ghostbusters 2. And Frank the dog stole the show.
Agreed! I love both MIB films, and would happily see the new one. Never saw the animated series, or read the comics...but love the movies.
lamphorn
10-31-09, 09:14 PM
I didn't bother seeing part 2 because I heard it was horrible.
Now, here's my prescription- It's good that the guy who wrote Tropic Thunder is doing this, maybe that'll bring some humor and some sharp satire.
Drop Tommy Lee Jones, except maybe as a cameo. This time make Will Smith the mentor and bring in a new person as the rookie recruit. How about the cute chick that got fired from SNL?? How about Maya Rudolf? See where I'm going? Make it a chick in black. But a funny chick, and make Will Smith the straight man, like Jones was the straight man before.
I'm a fucking genius. They're probably not going to do anything cool like that and it will suck. If anyone needs an exec. producer, I'm available.
MinLShaw
10-31-09, 10:27 PM
I didn't bother seeing part 2 because I heard it was horrible.
Now, here's my prescription- It's good that the guy who wrote Tropic Thunder is doing this, maybe that'll bring some humor and some sharp satire.
Drop Tommy Lee Jones, except maybe as a cameo. This time make Will Smith the mentor and bring in a new person as the rookie recruit. How about the cute chick that got fired from SNL?? How about Maya Rudolf? See where I'm going? Make it a chick in black. But a funny chick, and make Will Smith the straight man, like Jones was the straight man before.
I'm a fucking genius. They're probably not going to do anything cool like that and it will suck. If anyone needs an exec. producer, I'm available.
Are you absolutely sure you didn't see the second film?
Rammsteinfan
10-31-09, 10:48 PM
No Frank = No sale. Im down for a third if its more like the first film. THe second was okay but just didnt hold up to the first.
MLBFan24
10-31-09, 11:19 PM
Hated Men in Black 2. Only movie I've seen in theatres, in which I wanted to walk out on. Unfortunately, I didn't.
Flying kick Rip Torn was the pivotal moment of my hatred...haha
I dread seeing a MIB 3
UAIOE
11-01-09, 04:05 AM
I didn't bother seeing part 2 because I heard it was horrible.
You know how in "Ghostbusters 2" they pretty much put them in the same scenario/situation as the first movie? It's like that.
If you loved the first movie and are happy with how it ends, don't bother with the 2nd movie.
darkhawk
11-01-09, 07:03 AM
I guess i'm alone in actually enjoying the 2nd movie; I found just as many humorous things in it that I did in the first one. I'd welcome a 3rd with Will Smith back.
I'm with you. I enjoyed the 2nd one. It's not as good as the first but I still liked it.
Hokeyboy
11-01-09, 10:49 AM
I've never, EVER seen a Barry "NO FILM SHOULD EVER LAST LONGER THAN 90 MINUTES (he actually said that)" Sonnenfeld that I actually enjoyed. If they DO do a MIB3 I hope they get a different director.
Yes, and "Get Shorty" blew ass too.
Lateralus
11-01-09, 11:13 AM
I enjoyed both movies and I hope they do a 3rd, but they need both actors or it's no go for me.
lamphorn
11-01-09, 10:55 PM
I've never, EVER seen a Barry "NO FILM SHOULD EVER LAST LONGER THAN 90 MINUTES (he actually said that)" Sonnenfeld that I actually enjoyed. If they DO do a MIB3 I hope they get a different director.
Yes, and "Get Shorty" blew ass too.
I'm not particularly a fan of his, either, but I do appreciate his position on running times. I don't think Barry Levinson should make a film that lasts longer than 90 minutes, and I would say that about most directors.
If you're a great director like Spielberg, Scorsese, Woody Allen (although he rarely goes over 90 anyway), then go ahead and make a longer film... I'll give you till 2:20-2:35.
If you're a genius, Kubrick, Paul Thomas Anderson, ok, go ahead and make that 3 hour + epic and I'll go along with it.
But, for god's sake, if you're making Pirates of the Caribbean, there is no excuse for making people (parents mostly) sit through nearly 3 hours of utter dreck. I mean, I can't think of many kids that can stomach that much movie in one sitting and it's a kid's movie!!!
So, I would simply add to Barry's formula, that the majority of filmmakers should stick to 90 minutes or less. Brilliant filmmakers should be the only ones allowed to suck up more of our time than that.
Son of Odin
11-02-09, 01:18 AM
did the "i am legend" prequel start filming yet? plus he wants to do bad boys 3 and hancock 2. i doubt he would return to this franchise. there is nowhere else to go with it. another alien attack...yawn.
MinLShaw
11-02-09, 02:27 AM
So, I would simply add to Barry's formula, that the majority of filmmakers should stick to 90 minutes or less. Brilliant filmmakers should be the only ones allowed to suck up more of our time than that.
Can we amend this to include songs, and insist that few songs exceed 3-4 minutes in length? There's really just no reason for 5 and 6 minute long songs on the radio (I'm looking at you, Keith Urban). An album version, where you're selling to the dedicated fans, sure; but why are so many commercial performers afraid of editing?
UAIOE
11-02-09, 02:56 AM
I like 5-6 min songs (even some 9-10 minute ones), but I also don't listen to radio much.
Solid Snake PAC
11-02-09, 03:23 AM
I'm not particularly a fan of his, either, but I do appreciate his position on running times. I don't think Barry Levinson should make a film that lasts longer than 90 minutes, and I would say that about most directors.
If you're a great director like Spielberg, Scorsese, Woody Allen (although he rarely goes over 90 anyway), then go ahead and make a longer film... I'll give you till 2:20-2:35.
If you're a genius, Kubrick, Paul Thomas Anderson, ok, go ahead and make that 3 hour + epic and I'll go along with it.
But, for god's sake, if you're making Pirates of the Caribbean, there is no excuse for making people (parents mostly) sit through nearly 3 hours of utter dreck. I mean, I can't think of many kids that can stomach that much movie in one sitting and it's a kid's movie!!!
So, I would simply add to Barry's formula, that the majority of filmmakers should stick to 90 minutes or less. Brilliant filmmakers should be the only ones allowed to suck up more of our time than that.
Problem is....those directors that make long films and that aren't good ones at that probably thought it was going to be a good film. Unless you're there to tell them to stop wasting our time and literally stopping them..good luck.
Hokeyboy
11-02-09, 08:03 AM
I'm not particularly a fan of his, either, but I do appreciate his position on running times. I don't think Barry Levinson should make a film that lasts longer than 90 minutes, and I would say that about most directors.
If you're a great director like Spielberg, Scorsese, Woody Allen (although he rarely goes over 90 anyway), then go ahead and make a longer film... I'll give you till 2:20-2:35.
If you're a genius, Kubrick, Paul Thomas Anderson, ok, go ahead and make that 3 hour + epic and I'll go along with it.
But, for god's sake, if you're making Pirates of the Caribbean, there is no excuse for making people (parents mostly) sit through nearly 3 hours of utter dreck. I mean, I can't think of many kids that can stomach that much movie in one sitting and it's a kid's movie!!!
So, I would simply add to Barry's formula, that the majority of filmmakers should stick to 90 minutes or less. Brilliant filmmakers should be the only ones allowed to suck up more of our time than that.
What's that Ebert line? No good movie can be long enough, no bad movie can be too short? Sonnenfeld is a shit director, don't give him more than 10 minutes, TOPS. My point bringing up the quote, anyhow, is that the fucktard might be a decent cinematographer but doesn't know the first thing about storytelling, pace, narrative, character, etc. Regardless, I'm so glad he didn't go back and warn David Lean or Akira Kurosawa about films and his 90-minute Constraint Rule.
UAIOE
11-02-09, 02:17 PM
I've never, EVER seen a Barry "NO FILM SHOULD EVER LAST LONGER THAN 90 MINUTES (he actually said that)" Sonnenfeld that I actually enjoyed. If they DO do a MIB3 I hope they get a different director.
I do enjoy "The Addams Family" movies, but most the the credit really goes out to the writers for getting their inspiration from the original Charles Addams comics.
But speaking of the "Addams Family movies" apparently Ol' Barry decided upon the "90 minutes...tops" after "Men in Black" because MiB and the Addams Family movies are all (slightly) over 90 minutes.
GameOver
11-02-09, 02:41 PM
With all the upcoming possible sequals with Will Smith which have been mentioned in no particular order:
Independance Day 2
Men In Black 3
I Am Legend (Prequel)
Bad Boys 3
Hancock 2
Here is what i would liek to see in my order:
1 - Bad Boys 3
2 - I Am Legend (Prequel)
3 - Hancock 2
4 - Men In Black 3
5 - Independance Day 2
Perosnally,i only hope for Bad Boys 3 and skip the rest and work on NEW projects
dan30oly
11-02-09, 03:52 PM
My order:
1 - Independance Day 2 (I think it could have potential)
2 - Bad Boys 3
3 - Men In Black 3
4 - Hancock 2
5 - I Am Legend (Prequel) - I have zero interest in this and have no idea how they could make it the least bit interesting.
Solid Snake PAC
11-02-09, 05:15 PM
Independence Day 2.....so....do the aliens come back even harder?
Lemmy
11-02-09, 07:23 PM
Independence Day 2.....so....do the aliens come back even harder?
I've never understood why anyone liked "Independence Day". I mean...it's just totally lame. The acting reeks, and the plot has gaping holes and inconsistencies. I abhor it. It's just so stupid.
mcfly
11-02-09, 07:51 PM
I've never heard of an ID4 sequel being thrown around. Where did you guys read that?
That's the definition of unnecessary sequel.
fumanstan
11-02-09, 08:04 PM
ID4 doesn't seem to work well for a sequel. I wouldn't care to see one for Hancock, unless it's an entire movie of him still being a dick which was the most interesting part of the first one. No interest in I Am Legend either, as a prequel to explain the creatures just wouldn't be very exciting given the theatrical ending.
Juicy.Fruit84
11-02-09, 08:17 PM
All these in my mind are going to be terrible. There is no room to advance only sink. I Can't see anyone going into the theater saying to themselves "this is going to a blockbuster smash". I Am Legend has no room to follow it was following a dead trend to begin with. The Book was brilliant and only film i ever thought was decent was with Vincent price. Independence 2,Men in Black 3,Bad boys 3,Hancock 2 just scream stop wasting money on mediocre crap. There just a shiny symbol Hollywood want's our money and will take ever option
to get it, even spin useless crap over and over.
whotony
11-02-09, 10:25 PM
I've never understood why anyone liked "Independence Day". I mean...it's just totally lame. The acting reeks, and the plot has gaping holes and inconsistencies. I abhor it. It's just so stupid.
I like it because it was a fun movie I don't care about all the science stuff being unrealistic.
I've never heard of an ID4 sequel being thrown around. Where did you guys read that?
That's the definition of unnecessary sequel.
yeah were did that news come from. link?
Thrush
11-02-09, 10:46 PM
I've never heard of an ID4 sequel being thrown around. Where did you guys read that?
Cliff Notes: Fox wants a sequel, Emmerich/Devlin are willing to do a sequel as long as Will Smith is aboard. Fox isn't willing to give Smith Gross points. Fox suggested to Emmerich to do it without Smith and they were like lol, no.
Juicy.Fruit84
11-02-09, 10:47 PM
Joblo.com: Link (http://www.joblo.com/independence-day-2) for ID4 2
whotony
11-02-09, 10:56 PM
Latinreview with an exclusive.
anyway I thought Emmerich and Devlin split.
mraw
11-02-09, 11:12 PM
I do enjoy "The Addams Family" movies, but most the the credit really goes out to the writers for getting their inspiration from the original Charles Addams comics.
But speaking of the "Addams Family movies" apparently Ol' Barry decided upon the "90 minutes...tops" after "Men in Black" because MiB and the Addams Family movies are all (slightly) over 90 minutes.
I love the Addams Family movies, but I hate that their mansion is completely different in both movies (especially considering that they were sets anyway). I wonder who came up with that idea?
I've only seen MIIB on tv and it's never held my attention. The quirkiness and look of the movies are great, but the story didn't catch me the second time around.
droidguy1119
11-03-09, 12:58 AM
I like some of Men in Black II, but it's extremely problematic. There are some funny lines scattered throughout and performance moments that are good, but it suffers from the Ghostbusters II syndrome where a lot of kids saw the original and there was a cartoon, and then the sequel has to split the difference between the kid audience and the adult audience (plus regular sequelitis). Frank the Pug and The Worm Guys are to Men in Black II as Slimer and Louis are to Ghostbusters II.
Other problems: Lara Flynn Boyle stopped being at all attractive and started being grotesque at some point. Their original choice was Famke Janssen, the movie would work at least 15% better if they'd kept her on board instead of having to go with Boyle. Men in Black II also contains some of the worst visual effects I've ever seen in my entire life, such as the third-act shot of a spaceship flying away. And I what happens to Johnny Knoxville? He gets kicked in the head and never comes back!
However, I like some of the scope of it, and I'm a sucker for the not-shitty, big-budget summer special effects (like Jay and Kay getting flushed, some of the flying finale and the makeshift deneuralyzer). There's also one or two good references to the original, like the two-man bike. Tommy Lee Jones yelling "WHAT IS A GAME BOY!?" always makes me laugh.
I would prefer if Sonnenfeld didn't direct a third film.
Artman
11-03-09, 01:37 AM
did the "i am legend" prequel start filming yet? plus he wants to do bad boys 3 and hancock 2. i doubt he would return to this franchise. there is nowhere else to go with it. another alien attack...yawn.
Smith kinda strikes me as a paycheck guy.... so, probably any franchise he returns to he stands to make a good chunk of change. Creatively, the leading one has to be Hancock... everything else is old and ran it's course yrs ago. And really, at this point he can do any original project basically... I think he only returned to those franchises a 2nd time cause he needed to.
UAIOE
11-03-09, 03:30 AM
I've never understood why anyone liked "Independence Day". I mean...it's just totally lame. The acting reeks, and the plot has gaping holes and inconsistencies. I abhor it. It's just so stupid.
As was said, it was/is fun. I also enjoy it because it was an ensemble big summer movie.
That and its a pretty obvious "War of the Worlds" rip-off/homage.
milo bloom
11-03-09, 04:21 PM
I like some of Men in Black II, but it's extremely problematic. There are some funny lines scattered throughout and performance moments that are good, but it suffers from the Ghostbusters II syndrome where a lot of kids saw the original and there was a cartoon, and then the sequel has to split the difference between the kid audience and the adult audience (plus regular sequelitis). Frank the Pug and The Worm Guys are to Men in Black II as Slimer and Louis are to Ghostbusters II.
I haven't gone back to watch the original Ghostbusters cartoon as an adult, but I watched the MIB and the MIB animated series as an adult, and the tone of the series was, if anything, a little more adult than the movie. It wasn't all gore and blood and swearing, but I seemed to recall it having a bit of gravitas to it, and when I went to see that mass hallucination that was the second movie, I remember being extremely disappointed at the drop in quality from the animated series.
And I thought Hancock was a great attempt at some very interesting material, though I'm not sure where a sequel could go.
Buy: