It looks like Sony’s Men in Black reboot is fully taking form.
Hot off the success of Thor: Ragnarok, THR has learned that Chris Hemsworth is currently in talks to take on the lead role in the reboot of the popular science fiction franchise.
Hemsworth is expected to play opposite a diverse cast in the London set film, with his partner being eyed as a female of color, as well as an older male character, most likely similar to Rip Torn’s Zed in the first two films. Many have speculated that Tiffany Haddish could be in contention for the role of the woman of color.
While details are currently scarce, what we do know is the film is taking a page out of the Jurassic World playbook. This new iteration of Men in Black will follow a new group of characters set in the same continuity of the original series. Will Smith’s Agent J and Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent K are not expected to appear in the film, though the film will build off the world as the original trilogy, but expanding it to a more global scale.
As we’ve previously reported before, the film will be set in London, and is expected to start shooting this May.
Hemsworth is an excellent choice to lead the role, and it’s no surprise Sony is high on using him after his scene stealing role of Kevin in the Ghostbusters reboot, as well as the smashing success of last year’s Thor: Ragnarok. While the film didn’t meet the studio’s expectations financially, Hemsworth garnered a lot of praise for his comedic chops throughout. As it turns out, he’s a natural comedian, as well as a great action star, two things this franchise desperately needs from its lead to work. Hemsworth’s charisma also rivals that of original series star Will Smith, which will hopefully help audiences get on board with a film that doesn’t have Smith in the lead.
Director F. Gary Gray, of Straight Outta Compton and The Fate of the Furious fame will pick up the directing duties from original series director Barry Sonnenfeld, off a script by Iron Man scribes Matt Holloway and Art Marcum. Steven Spielberg is also returning as executive producer on the film, as well as original series producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald.
Sony’s Men in Black reboot is expected to hit theaters June 14, 2019.