Sony is working on 'Men in Black 5'

Sony Pictures is gearing up for another installment in the "Men in Black" series, enlisting Chris Bremner, known for scripting "Bad Boys for Life" and "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," to craft the screenplay for the fifth film. At this stage, it remains uncertain whether Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones will reprise their iconic roles as Agent J and Agent K, the alien-fighting duo central to most of the franchise.

Bremners participation could potentially entice Smith, who collaborated with him on the two "Bad Boys" movies. Previously, Sony attempted a franchise reboot with 2019s "Men in Black: International," starring Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, but it underperformed at the box office, earning $253.9 million against a budget exceeding $100 million. Despite that, Sony appears confident in the series ongoing appeal, as the films have collectively grossed over $1.9 billion.

In addition to his work on "Bad Boys," Bremner wrote "The Man From Toronto," a comedy featuring Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson that premiered on Netflix in 2022. He also penned "Fast & Loose," a Netflix project slated to feature Will Smith.

The original "Men in Black" debuted in 1997, following the success of "Independence Day." The pairing of Smith and Jones helped make it a summer blockbuster, leading to sequels in 2002 and 2012. Smiths production company, Westbrook, recently signed a deal with Paramount, though the actor has maintained a lower public profile in recent years.

Bremner is represented by WME and Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment. Sony has not released an official comment regarding the project. The news of the fifth "Men in Black" was initially reported by Deadline.

Analysis: The Future of "Men in Black" Hinges on Key Collaborations

Sony Pictures’ decision to bring Chris Bremner on board for the fifth "Men in Black" installment signals a strategic move to revive the franchise’s commercial momentum. Bremner’s previous collaborations with Will Smith on the "Bad Boys" films could increase the likelihood of Smith returning as Agent J, a factor that may prove crucial for the film’s success.

While the 2019 reboot, "Men in Black: International," underperformed financially, the overall franchise has earned over $1.9 billion, demonstrating enduring audience interest. Bremner’s involvement, along with his recent Netflix projects like "The Man From Toronto" and "Fast & Loose," positions him as a writer capable of blending action and comedy, aligning with the series’ core tone.

At this stage, the casting of original leads Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones remains unconfirmed. Sony’s confidence in pursuing another sequel despite the prior reboot’s lukewarm reception reflects a strategy that leverages nostalgia while introducing fresh creative energy through Bremner’s screenplay. The next months will be pivotal in determining both the cast lineup and the project’s overall direction.

Sources:

• ‘Men in Black 5’ in the Works at Sony