Columbia embarks on third 'Men In Black' (BIZ, VAR)
By Nancy Tartaglione
Columbia has set "Tropic Thunder" writer Etan Cohen to pen a new installment in the "Men In Black" franchise. Barry Sonnenfeld, who directed the first two films, is said to be attached while Will Smith, who has not committed, is said to be interested in returning to the series, the Risky Business blog reported.
BIZ points out that Smith does not currently have a go movie lined up while Tommy Lee Jones' involvement remains uncertain. Variety surmises that it's unlikely the studio would greenlight the project without the duo's involvement.
"MIB" is one of the most successful comedy franchises of all time. The two first films which were released in 1997 and 2002 combined to earn nearly $1.1 billion worldwide.
The studio is eyeing a 2010 start date and could go as soon as the spring.
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