A new entry in theMen in Blackfranchise might be coming sooner rather than later, as it’s been revealed thatan untitled sequel will apparently begin shooting in January 2025. Though noofficial announcement has been made by Sonyregarding the project, it’s enough to speculate that the long-running franchise is looking to make up for the critically pannedMen in Black: Internationalwhich was released in 2019, and left a sour taste in the mouths of many. Starring Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson, the filmholds just a 23%on Rotten Tomatoes,and barely made enough to break even at the box office.
As perProductionList.com, a website that regularly tracks the pre-productions of major projects across film and TV, the‘Untitled Men in Black Project’is listed as a feature filmto begin shooting in January 2025 in London. The project summary has details forMen in Black: Internationalused as filler, asno official plot for the rumored MiB film has been released at this time.
Men In Black
Premiering in 1997,Men In Blackstarred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as Agents J and K, two members of a secret organizationwho work together to thwart the destruction of Earthby an intergalactic terrorist. Loosely based on the comic book series by Lowell Cunningham and Sandy Carruthers,the film featured a catchy theme and practical makeup effectsby Rick Baker (who won an Oscar for his efforts), and would go on to gross a massive $589 million against a budget of $90 million,thus birthing an entire franchise.
Men in Black 2followed five years later, andwas unfortunately met with mixed reviews, with some accusing it of recycling old ideas and bringing nothing new to the table. As such,the franchise lay dormant until 2012with the release ofMen in Black 3. The passage of time was enough for audiences to forgive MiB 2,as they showed up in droves for the sequel, which surpassed the original in box office performance, grossing $654 million.
Men in Black II: Why Agent L Never Came Back For the Sequel
Agent L wasn’t cast in Men in Black II, even after a strong ending in the first film. Why?
While there were talks of a fourth film starring Jones and Smith,Sony ended up going in a different direction for the next entry,Men in Black: International, which saw neither of them return, andinstead featured Hemsworth and Thompson as the leads. Audiences weren’t ready to accept the pair, however,despite their onscreen chemistry that resonated throughoutthe production. The filmwas a commercial and critical flop,seemingly putting an end to an otherwise fun franchise.
What’s Next for Men in Black?
Did Will Smith Just Hint at His Return?
Thoughit’s been five yearssince the release ofMen in Black: International, thefranchise is still the talk of manythanks to the rumored crossoverbetween the MiB universe and21 Jump Street. Word leaked in 2014 that the crossover was in development, and in 2016Sony officially announced the film, titledMiB 23, which was set to star Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill reprising their roles of Greg Jenko and Morton Schmidt from theJump Streetmoviesas two cops recruited to join the top-secret organization.
Despite the official announcement, however,MiB 23could never get off the ground, but that isn’t to say the project is dead in the water. Channing Tatum recently hintedthat the film has the perfect script, and that those involvedare still trying to get it the green light. As Hollywood is a town filled with secrets, one can speculate that Tatum is keeping things close to the vest, and that the rumored ‘Untitled Men in Black Project’ that’s speculated to begin filming in 2025could indeed be the long-awaited crossover.
23 Jump Street Script Hyped Up by Channing Tatum, Is He Still Trying to Make the MiB Crossover?
Channing Tatum calls the MiB 23 script the “best” he’s ever read, hints that he’s still trying to get the project made.
For his part, Will Smithhas been mum about a possible returnto theMen in Blackfranchise, thoughhe sparked rumors of his involvement this year at Coachellawherehe made a surprise appearancein full Agent J getup to sing the hit song ‘Men in Black’alongside Colombian rapper J Balvin.
For now, the rumoredMen in Black 5film, or perhaps theMiB 23crossover,remains just that: a rumor. We’ll have more details should any further news develop on the project.
