We reported a few months back that “Tropic Thunder” writer Etan Cohen was writing a third “Men in Black” movie, whether we wanted one or not — just like “Ghostbusters,” it seems that enough time has passed since the disastrous second installment in the franchise that audiences now have enough nostalgia for the original. It looks like there may have been some movement on the script, as the LA Times is reporting that Josh Brolin, of all people, is being considered for a part in “Men in Black III.”
Brolin had a couple of great years, with outstanding performances in “No Country for Old Men,” “Milk” and “American Gangster,” and he’s been striking while the iron’s hot, taking the lead in DC Comics western “Jonah Hex,” and the villain role in “Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps.” He’s not known for his comedy stylings — he was a little anonymous when he hosted “Saturday Night Live” last year, but we imagine he’s stepping into the Tommy Lee Jones straight man role — indeed, the Times suggests that he’s either going to play Will Smith’s new partner, or actually play a younger version of Tommy Lee Jones’ character in the original. So is this a prequel? Or does Agent K Benjamin Button himself somehow? It does stand to figure that Tommy Lee Jones has had enough of the ‘MIB’ nonsense though.
The presence of Cohen and Brolin suggest that this is being taken more seriously than the first sequel, which featured the burning star wattage of Lara Flynn Boyle and Johnny Knoxville, and we’re certainly intrigued to see Brolin take on a project like this, even if we’re not convinced by the need for its existence. Either that or it suggests Brolin will take any role if you drive up to his house with a dumptruck full of cash. The actor is set to film the Coen Brothers’ “True Grit” and the drug thriller “Cartel” next year, so it’s uncertain when this’ll start to film — we’d guess a summer start date, for a July 2011 release? All depends on a good final script that gets approved and greenlit.
