Men in Black 5 Is Happening: Will Smith Poised for Return?
Sony is officially developing a new installment in the Men in Black series, tapping a writer from the successful Bad Boys franchise to craft the story. With the series gaining new life on streaming, all eyes are on whether a familiar face will be back in the iconic black suit.
Sony has given the green light for a new Men in Black film, fueled by the franchise's recent surge in popularity on streaming platforms. To shape the new adventure, the studio has brought in Chris Bremner, the screenwriter behind the recent box-office hit Bad Boys: Ride or Die. This move signals a potential revival for the series, especially after Bremner's success in reinvigorating another classic franchise despite its star's recent controversies.
The Return of Agent J?
While the project is still in its early stages with no director or cast officially attached, sources indicate that Will Smith will be approached to reprise his iconic role as Agent J once the script is finalized. The actor himself has hinted at the possibility, revealing he was offered a substantial sum to return to the series earlier this year, despite his general reluctance to do sequels.
I told myself I was done with sequels. I was like, ‘I’ve made enough sequels. I got some new things I want to make,’ Literally this morning, an hour before I came down here, they just threw the bag for another Men in Black. I was like, ‘Ah, I’m supposed to be going on tour this summer.’
Given that production is still a ways off, the odds seem favorable that Smith will don the black suit again when Sony makes the official offer for the new installment.
A Comeback Story in the Making
The last entry in the series, which starred Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, struggled to meet expectations at the box office despite the buzz from Avengers: Endgame. This led to the property being shelved for several years. However, the upcoming film could spark renewed public interest, much like Bad Boys: Ride or Die did for it's own franchise.
Smith's recent Bad Boys movie performed well financially, proving his star power remains strong despite recent public scrutiny. Since he has always been the central draw for the Men in Black films, a similar box-office success could be on the horizon for the fifth movie. Fans are now eagerly awaiting further updates as Bremner works on the script, which could place the beloved actor back at the center of the alien-fighting universe.