Sony Develops New Men in Black Film, Smith Eyed for Return

Sony Pictures is developing a new installment in the Men in Black franchise, with screenwriter Chris Bremner tapped to write the script and original star Will Smith potentially reprising his role as Agent J. The project, still in early stages, aims to revive the sci-fi action comedy series that has grossed nearly $2 billion worldwide across its previous films.

Bremner, who penned the recent Bad Boys sequels starring Smith, brings familiarity to the effort. Those films, Bad Boys for Life in 2020 and Bad Boys: Ride or Die in 2024, collectively earned more than $837 million globally, with the latter opening to $56 million in June 2024. Bremner is also writing Smith's upcoming Netflix thriller, Fast and Loose, directed by John Swab. Sources indicate the Men in Black script will incorporate Agent J, though the extent of Smith's involvement remains unclear, whether as a lead, mentor figure, or in a supporting capacity. Smith has not committed to the project and plans to review the completed draft before deciding.

The development follows the 2019 spin-off, Men in Black: International, which starred Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson and earned $253 million worldwide against a budget...