Sony Pictures is dusting off the iconic black suits and sunglasses, with a new Men in Black film officially in development. Sources tell Deadline that Bad Boys for Life writer Chris Bremner has been brought on to script the next installment, though no cast or director is attached at this early stage.
Plot details remain under wraps, but insiders say that once Bremner’s script is completed, original series star Will Smith is expected to be among the first to read it. The studio reportedly hopes to bring back Agent J in some form, whether as a lead or a legacy-style supporting role similar to what we’ve seen in films like Creed. Smith is not currently committed and will only make a decision after reviewing the script.
The Men in Black franchise, which launched in 1997 with the hit starring Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, follows a secret government agency tasked with monitoring extraterrestrial activity on Earth. Known for its blend of sci-fi action and comedy, the series has spawned three sequels and one spin-off, Men in Black: International (2019), which starred Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. Collectively, the films have grossed nearly $1.9 billion worldwide.
Following the success of reviving the Bad Boys franchise, Sony sees another opportunity to capitalize on a beloved property. All previous MIB films were produced by Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald, with Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer, though no production deals have been announced for the new installment. Bremner has become a trusted writer for Smith-led projects, recently penning the Netflix action thriller Fast & Loose, expected to be Smith’s next film.
While the project is still in early development, the studio’s move signals a strong commitment to returning the Men in Black universe to theaters—and possibly introducing a new generation of agents to fans old and new.