'Men in Black 3' Moves Forward With Writer Etan Cohen

The writer of 'Tropic Thunder' has been hired by Sony Pictures to pen the script, while director Barry Sonnenfeld is rumored to be attached.

A progress has been made in the development of "Men in Black 3" with the hiring of a writer. The Hollywood Reporter (THR)'s Risky Biz Blog reported that one of the "Tropic Thunder" screenwriters, Etan Cohen, has been brought on board by Sony Pictures to work on the script to the latest installment of the sci-fi comedy series.
THR claimed that the studio has the intention "to continue the franchise's top-tier status" with the addition of Cohen. The latest writer brought to the "MIB" franchise, Cohen is reported to be "deep into his draft" for the third movie. Ed Solomon wrote the script for the first "MIB", and Robert Gordon and Barry Fanaro for the second one.

The scribe aside, the publication suggested that Barry Sonnenfeld, the director of the first two "MIB" is attached to the new film. Still, it noted that no formal deal or offer has been made just yet. A big question mark is still circling around whether the series stars, Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, will make their return in the movie which eyes a start date in spring 2010.

Sony announced its plan to develop a second sequel to 1997 hit alien movie "Men in Black" back on April 1 this year. The revelation was made by Sony Worldwide Distribution president Rory Bruer during Sony Pictures' presentation at 2009 ShoWest convention in Las Vegas.

Etan Cohen has written the script of "Tropic Thunder" along with star Ben Stiller and fellow scribbler Justin Theroux. His feature credits also included "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa". He is currently working on untitled Sherlock Holmes project, a comedic Sherlock Holmes movie starring Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell.


source: aceshowbiz.com