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Will Smith Teases Sensational Return to 'Men in Black' After Franchise Setbacks!

Published 1 hour ago3 minute read
Precious Eseaye
Precious Eseaye
Will Smith Teases Sensational Return to 'Men in Black' After Franchise Setbacks!

The beloved action-comedy-science fiction franchise, Men in Black, is being brought out of a seven-year dormancy for a new feature film. Sony Pictures has enlisted Chris Bremner, recognized for his successful revival of the Will Smith-led buddy franchise 'Bad Boys' with 2020's 'Bad Boys For Life', to pen the script for the upcoming sequel. While not yet officially attached, reports indicate that the studio plans to include Will Smith in the film, provided he agrees after reviewing the script.

Chris Bremner's impressive resume extends beyond 'Bad Boys For Life', which grossed $426 million USD against a $90 million budget, effectively breathing new life into a long-stagnant action series. He also wrote the script for its follow-up, 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die', and the action film 'The Man From Toronto' starring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson. Bremner is also credited for 'Fast and Loose', another action film slated to star Will Smith once a new director is secured, following Michael Bay's departure due to creative differences. Furthermore, he has been linked to a new 'National Treasure' film and a live-action adaptation of the classic 1980s cartoon and toyline 'M.A.S.K.' (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand).

The Men in Black franchise itself is rooted in a 1990 comic book series created by Lowell Cunningham and illustrated by Sandy Carruthers, originally published by Aircel Comics before its absorption by Marvel. The premise revolves around a clandestine agency dedicated to monitoring and policing extraterrestrial activity on Earth, keeping its existence a secret from the general public.

The inaugural film, released in 1997, introduced audiences to the dynamic duo of veteran Agent K (portrayed by Tommy Lee Jones) and newly recruited NYPD officer, Agent J (Will Smith). Their first major assignment involved confronting a monstrous alien insect. Agent K, despite his retirement at the end of the first film, returned to partner with Agent J in 2002's 'Men in Black II' to tackle the serpentine alien Serleena.

The series continued with 2012's 'Men in Black 3', which saw Agent J travel back in time to 1969 to collaborate with a younger Agent K (played by Josh Brolin) against the formidable renegade alien Boris. In 2019, 'Men in Black: International' charted a new course, introducing a fresh pair of MIB agents portrayed by Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth. The franchise also expanded its universe with a well-received animated series that picked up after the events of the original film.

The original 'Men in Black' in 1997 was a surprising summer box office and critical hit, largely attributed to the compelling chemistry between its two lead actors, the vibrant direction of Barry Sonnenfeld, and a clever script penned by Ed Solomon. While the first film garnered significant success, subsequent sequels have occasionally struggled both critically and commercially. For instance, 'Men in Black: International' earned $253 million on a $110 million budget but received a low 23% Rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

As of now, a new 'Men in Black' movie is actively in development. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for future updates regarding this highly anticipated continuation of the franchise.

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