Shocker. Not only is “Men In Black 3” apparently ready to go, but it’s already got a new title that links itself to the new fad du jour: “Men In Black 3D.”
Previously we had heard that Smith would choose between the “MIB3” franchise or Fox’s fantasy-adventure pic “The City That Sailed,” which would have reunited him with “I Am Legend” helmer, Francis Lawrence. Guess we know how he chose.
Frankly, the way the movie industry is going right now — uncertainty and upheaval — we’re not at all surprised people like Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are playing it safe. Sony apparently wants it ready for Memorial Day May 2011 since “Spider-Man 4” fell apart, but that seems like a rush and a doubtful target to hit. But who knows, maybe if they just slap a quick script together, shoot it this summer or fall, they can make that date. It’s not like they’re aiming at quality. But a script does have a writer (and it probably near finished) and it’s being penned by Etan Cohen (“Tropic Thunder” and “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”).
At one point Sacha Baron Cohen and “Flight Of The Conchords” star Jemaine Clement were being eyed for ‘MIB3’ roles, perhaps because the two past leads were still wavering, but this new report doesn’t mention them at all, so we can probably assume they’re out or playing supporting characters. Josh Brolin was rumored at one point too, but he’s not mentioned either.
The tale we always like to remind our readers about it that “Men In Black” the original, allegedly raped and pillaged many of the elements from Claire Noto’s famously unmade existentialist sci-fi script, “The Tourist” (a script apparently so good that it was called the heir apparent to “Bladerunner,” but all attempts to make it failed and evidently several sci-fi films from the ’90s picked through the carcass of that near legendary screenplay).
We have little to no interest in this one, but more power to you Sony.