Men In Black is coming back! Neuralyzer! Another trilogy! Ray-Bans! And Will Smith as Agent J! Wait, no Will Smith? Say what? And Star Wars is coming back too, and they might return Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader? What is going on here…
The word on the (virtual) streets concerning Men in Black is that Smith isn’t going to be involved in the upcoming trilogy. In an interview with producers and real-life couple Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, it was revealed that there is a remake of the popular film in the works over at Sony.
But when the producers were asked if actor Will Smith would be reprising his role as Agent J, the younger partner to Agent K (who was well cast by veteran actor Tommy Lee Jones), the response was as stunning as well as brief:
You produced Men in Black. Has there been talk of reviving that franchise with the new Sony regime?
PARKES We’re in the middle of it. It’s very active.
Is Will Smith going to be part of it?
PARKES Most likely no.
So is that the final word? Well, Parkes and MacDonald did produce all three live action movies: Men In Black, Men In Black II, and Men in Black 3. The couple also produced the animated Men In Black: The Series, which ran on the WB from 1997 through 2002. So there’s some weight to their response about Smith not returning to the new MIB incarnation.
On the flip side of the coin, it would seem that Hayden Christensen, who played pre-Vader Anakin Skywalker in the last two Star Wars prequels, may be resuming his Dark Lord of the Sith role.
Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is to be released in 2017 could see Vader make an appearance. He may also show up in Star Wars: Rogue One, which comes out a year earlier. This conjecture is based on reports that the actor is being trained to used Vader’s infamous breathing helmet and chest piece.
What do you think of a MIB movie without Smith? Thumb’s up? Or needs a neuralyzer treatment? And what are your thoughts on Christensen playing your favorite fallen Jedi in his dark, armored glory? As always, leave a comment below!
Images: Columbia Pictures, LucasFilm
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