Back in April we reported on news from the Sony ShoWest presentation that the studio was developing a script for a third Men in Black movie, something which built on the rumors from over a year ago that franchise stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones were interested in suiting up for some alien escapades once more. Fast forward to now and an update has come out that Men In Black 3 has found its writer in the form of Tropic Thunder screenwriter, Etan Cohen (not to be confused with one half of the famous Coen brothers, Ethan).

Variety is reporting that Columbia Pictures (which Sony owns) has tapped Cohen to pen the script, but beyond that no deals have been made for either Smith or Jones to reprise their roles. Although I’d be very surprised if the studio didn’t have talks going on with the two stars to come back for another if they’ve already got the screenwriter sorted out. Unfortunately the studio is currently staying tight-lipped as to the direction they’re going with the story of MIB 3. Let the speculation begin .

What Columbia has working in its advantage even more than it did when the last Men In Black came out, is the fact that Smith is now a mega movie star, being pretty much the only true bankable name right now (in every genre). I’ve said it before but look at the numbers: his last 8 movies have reached the $100 million mark (worldwide), that’s including the dramas Seven Pounds and The Pursuit of Happyness – put pretty much ANYONE else in those lead roles and they wouldn’t have gotten close to that level of financial success.

As Variety notes, this MIB move is similar to the one they made with the Ghostbusters franchise, that is when they brought on The Office scribes, Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky to pen the script to the third one (It’s coming, we’ve been told over and over…). Columbia has few franchises at this point, with the shortlist including MIB, Spider-Man and Ghostbusters (not that I’m discounting them). Funny enough, Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis’ first ghost-busting antics was the studio’s biggest grossing film before, you guessed it, Men In Black came along. And then their Spider-Man came along and took the top spot for them. Funny how the movie business works sometimes, isn’t it?…

The first MIB was written by Ed Solomon, the man who wrote the Bill & Ted movies. For some reason they didn’t bring him back for the sequel, instead opting for Robert Gordon (Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events) and Barry Fanaro (I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry… ouch…). In my opinion, it definitely showed since Men In Black II was a big step down from the first one (although I had fun with it in a guilty pleasure sort of way).

Personally, I think Cohen is a fine choice to write the script for MIB 3 (III?). He’s written some genuinely entertaining stuff, not the least of which was last year’s Tropic Thunder (although he co-wrote it with Ben Stiller and Justin Theroux), as well as King of the Hill and Beavis & Butthead. Madagascar 2 is the only one that sticks out from his resume, but apart from that, so far Cohen has proven himself a worthy screenwriter. I still would prefer they went back to Solomon, but still…

I can’t say I would be overly excited for Men In Black 3, but I guess I wouldn’t mind it either. What would make it drop from sitting on the fence into the “not interested” side would be if Smith and Jones didn’t come back. To me it wouldn’t make sense for it to be about two new Agents, at least not at this point. I realize that if they make more and more of them beyond number three that they can’t always have those two headlining, but I think if they’re passionate enough for third go, that they should use the two already established characters and actors.

It’s also the only way I think they’ll really make much money – if the general movie going audience saw ads for MIB 3 and it was sans Smith and Lee, I really think a lot of people would opt out of handing over their hard earned money to watch it. Even if Smith demands a hefty paycheck to come back for another, I think him (with his audience drawing power) and the established franchise recognition will let it do very well at the box office. I just wonder if they can come close to the almost $600 million and the almost $450 million that the first and second movies made, respectively.

As with so much, only time will tell…

What do you think of the writer attached to write Men In Black 3? Would you pay to see the movie if Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones weren’t in it?

No release date has been set for Men In Black 3. Stay tuned.

Source: Variety

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We’ve had quite a bit of news arise out of this year’s ShoWest convention in Las Vegas and today we have some interesting news about Men in Black 3.

During Sony’s presentation, president Rory Bruer discussed some of the upcoming big-name projects that Sony has in the works: Spider-Man 4, Ghostbusters 3 and Men in Black 3 (all very original projects…).

Sony’s confirmation that they are developing the script for another Men in Black movie builds on the rumors we heard last year about a third movie in the franchise.

It was reported last October that Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones were apparently interested in suiting up for a third alien adventure and that one of the producers of the first two films was interesting in bringing everyone back together for another go.

I really enjoyed the first Men in Black and I think it worked pretty well for all audiences. It made nearly $600 million at the box office and received very strong reviews. The second one however, was a pretty big disappointment. The sequel was shot down by critics and it earned less money than the original despite a larger budget and increased marketing. In the end, Men in Black II still managed to be a financial success.

Men in Black II came out seven years ago so perhaps people will forget all the negative by the time another one hits theaters. I think for the movie to work, it has to have its two leads back in some form (perhaps they could introduce new characters for further installments?). I find it a little strange that either would want to do another one at this point in their careers, although Will Smith can sell anything so it makes sense that Sony would push for another installment and have it as a summer tent-pole release.

What do you think of another Men in Black film?

Source: JoBlo

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Welcome to another news filled edition of the Weekend Movie News Wrap Up.

This week:

We check out the weekend box office; Steven Seagal ponders Under Seige 3, Men In Black 3 is a possible threat; Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro Paint Houses; Yogi Bear is coming to a cinema near you; we hear how long Watchmen runs and has Nolan signed for Batman 3?

Box Office

Shame on you America. Beverly Hills Chihuahua should bark up around $30 million over the weekend. I think the less I say about it the better.

Meanwhile, Shia LeBoeuf‘s Eagle Eye should rake in another $17-$18 million on it’s second weekend. The Richard Gere / Diane Lane rom-dram Nights In Rodanthe tumbled 50% from last weekend. The comedy Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist should bank about $15 million, while the Ed Harris directed western Appaloosa should shoot up around $5 million by Monday. You could say that it’s an Appa-winna! How To Lose Friends And Alienate People did just that by stiffing on its opening with a weekend take of less than $1.5 million. Ouch.

Movie News

1. Steven Seagal is pondering a return to the Under Siege franchise. Come on, you can’t blame him – everyone is returning to old action franchises these days. The ponytailed one told MTV:

“There are offers and we’re looking at them. I personally want it to be something more modern. In other words, I wouldn’t mind if it was about something more mystical or…maybe extraterrestrial in nature. Some real government top secrets instead of just the typical.”

You know what? I’m up for that.

Source: MTV

2. Nobody’s childhood is safe. Joshua Sternin and Jeffrey Ventimilia will be penning a film version of Yogi Bear. Ash Brannon will direct the CGI and live action hybrid. Nooooooooooooo!

Well if Beverly Hills Chihuahua can do $30 million….

Source: Variety

3. Here come the Men In Black…again. Word on the street is that Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are eager to suit up for a third alien busting adventure.

Does Will Smith have any artistic integrity left?

Tommy, you were so good in No Country For Old Men, why make this?

Source: Moviehole

4. Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro will re-team for I Heard You Paint Houses. Don’t worry the film isn’t a decorating drama.

According to Variety:

“(The) Pic’s title refers to mob slang for contract killings, and the resulting blood splatter on walls and floors. Book was written by Charles Brandt, who befriended Sheeran shortly before the latter’s death in 2003. Among the crimes Sheeran confessed to Brandt, according to the 2004 book, was the killing and dismemberment of Hoffa, carried out on orders from mob boss Russell Bufalino.”

Sounds like it was made for the duo. It must be the 100^th film that Marty is now slated to direct.

Will it ever happen?

Source: Variety

5. Cinema Blend reckon that Chris Nolan has signed for Batman 3. The site is using Production Weekly as a source, which states that the film is going to go into pre-production in February, with Nolan slated to return along with Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Gary Oldman.

It’s all possible. However, isn’t this news just saying that Warners will start thinking about the film in February?

We’ll find out at some point.

Source: Cinema Blend

6. I was watching Film 2008 with Jonathan Ross this morning, and the presenter interviewed Matthew Goode who is playing Ozymandias in Watchmen. The actor said that the running time currently stands at around three hours and twenty five minutes, but Warners want it to be cut down to around the three hour mark.

Well length didn’t harm The Dark Knight.

That’s it for another week. See You at the movies.

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• 3D ‘Yogi Bear’ Movie On The Way
• Live-Action ‘Where’s Waldo?’ Film Headed to Theaters
• Beverly Hills Cop IV ‘A Huge Priority’ For Paramount
• Robert Rodriguez’s ‘Machete’ May Have Its Cast
• Men In Black 3 In Development!