Starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, the 1997 film Men In Black was a huge hit upon its release, earning critical and commercial success, which was followed by two sequels along with a stand-alone fourth installment. However, crafting the intricate world of aliens and secret agents proved a formidable challenge for the creators.
Men in Black | Credit: Columbia Pictures
In a 2022 oral history of Men In Black discussion, director Barry Sonnenfeld, production designer Bo Welch, and screenwriter Ed Solomon reflected on the process of making the movie and revealed how they spent close to $1 million on an animatronic bug, ultimately abandoning its use in the final cut.
Men in Black Spent $1 Million in an Unused Giant Animatronic Bug
The first film in the Men in Black franchise follows Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent J (Will Smith) as they investigate a series of alien-related incidents, and across a dangerous...
Men in Black | Credit: Columbia Pictures
In a 2022 oral history of Men In Black discussion, director Barry Sonnenfeld, production designer Bo Welch, and screenwriter Ed Solomon reflected on the process of making the movie and revealed how they spent close to $1 million on an animatronic bug, ultimately abandoning its use in the final cut.
Men in Black Spent $1 Million in an Unused Giant Animatronic Bug
The first film in the Men in Black franchise follows Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones) and Agent J (Will Smith) as they investigate a series of alien-related incidents, and across a dangerous...
- 5/18/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
Will Smith starred as Agent J in the sci-fi film franchise Men in Black. Based on the popular comics of the same name, the original trilogy was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and was executive-produced by Steven Spielberg. Smith starred along with Tommy Lee Jones in the lead roles in all three films, and it proved to be one of the actor’s breakout roles.
Despite the original film being a huge commercial success and developing a fanbase, the sequels have been regarded as unworthy successors and have been accused of being cash grabs. Filmmaker Sonnenfeld was also reportedly under such extreme pressure to deliver a commercial hit that he almost got a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.
Will Smith’s Men in Black II Stressed Out Director Barry Sonnenfeld Will Smith in Men in Black II
After the commercial success of Men in Black, which earned $589 million at the box office,...
Despite the original film being a huge commercial success and developing a fanbase, the sequels have been regarded as unworthy successors and have been accused of being cash grabs. Filmmaker Sonnenfeld was also reportedly under such extreme pressure to deliver a commercial hit that he almost got a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.
Will Smith’s Men in Black II Stressed Out Director Barry Sonnenfeld Will Smith in Men in Black II
After the commercial success of Men in Black, which earned $589 million at the box office,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Will Smith is one of the biggest stars in the world and gained worldwide fame as he starred in multiple blockbusters in the late ‘90s. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star had his breakthrough with the films Six Degrees of Separation and Independence Day. However, he became a worldwide star when he starred as Agent J in the Men in Black franchise.
Smith starred along with Tommy Lee Jones in the films which were produced by Steven Spielberg and were based on the popular comic book series. Despite the original comic books showing Smith’s Agent J as a White, blonde man, filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld was convinced by his wife to race-swap and cast Will Smith in the film.
Will Smith Was Director Barry Sonnenfeld’s Wife’s Choice For Men in Black Will Smith in Men in Black
When actor Will Smith was tapped to play Agent J in...
Smith starred along with Tommy Lee Jones in the films which were produced by Steven Spielberg and were based on the popular comic book series. Despite the original comic books showing Smith’s Agent J as a White, blonde man, filmmaker Barry Sonnenfeld was convinced by his wife to race-swap and cast Will Smith in the film.
Will Smith Was Director Barry Sonnenfeld’s Wife’s Choice For Men in Black Will Smith in Men in Black
When actor Will Smith was tapped to play Agent J in...
- 5/14/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Will Smith made a surprise appearance on the main stage at 2024 Coachella Music and Arts Festival on Sunday night (April 14) in Indio, Calif.
The Oscar-winning actor returned to the festival stage as he joined J Balvin to perform his song “Men In Black” from his 1997 movie of the same name.
Keep reading to find out more and watch video…
For the performance, Will got into character as James Darrell Edwards III aka Agent J, as he wore a black suit and sunglasses. The backup dancers matched his look, while others dressed as aliens. J Balvin wore a sparkly, silver look.
The last time Will hit the stage at Coachella was in 2019, when he joined son Jaden Smith on the Sahara stage, where they performed their song “Icon.”
Speaking of Jaden, he was also spotted at the annual festival in the desert, with a video of him interacting with longtime friend Justin Bieber going viral.
The Oscar-winning actor returned to the festival stage as he joined J Balvin to perform his song “Men In Black” from his 1997 movie of the same name.
Keep reading to find out more and watch video…
For the performance, Will got into character as James Darrell Edwards III aka Agent J, as he wore a black suit and sunglasses. The backup dancers matched his look, while others dressed as aliens. J Balvin wore a sparkly, silver look.
The last time Will hit the stage at Coachella was in 2019, when he joined son Jaden Smith on the Sahara stage, where they performed their song “Icon.”
Speaking of Jaden, he was also spotted at the annual festival in the desert, with a video of him interacting with longtime friend Justin Bieber going viral.
- 4/15/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Will Smith's journey towards global domination is well-established at this point. The man who parlayed novelty rap hits such as "Parents Just Don't Understand" into one of the most successful acting careers in Hollywood history is, barring some unfortunate recent developments, a gargantuan of the entertainment industry. At least, that's how Kevin Hart feels. The comedian recently added Smith to his undeniably impressive roster of guests for season 1 of his talk show "Hart to Heart," which has already played host to such legends as the famously reclusive Dr. Dre.
Smith and Hart's conversation was noteworthy for the way in which Hart clearly idolized his guest's career trajectory, and by his own admission tried to emulate it in his own life. As a result, the "Ride Along" star managed to elicit some fairly deep insights from his guest, including that Smith had basically lost a sense of who he...
Smith and Hart's conversation was noteworthy for the way in which Hart clearly idolized his guest's career trajectory, and by his own admission tried to emulate it in his own life. As a result, the "Ride Along" star managed to elicit some fairly deep insights from his guest, including that Smith had basically lost a sense of who he...
- 8/5/2023
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
When Will Smith was ready to turn down the role of Agent J in 1997’s “Men in Black,” executive producer Steven Spielberg decided to take matters into his own hands. During a recent appearance on Kevin Hart’s “Hart to Heart” talk show (via Insider), Smith told the story of Spielberg sending a helicopter to bring him in for a meeting in which Spielberg questioned Smith’s apprehension over “Men in Black.”
It all started with Smith not wanting to make another alien-centric movie after 1996’s “Independence Day,” his first bonafide blockbuster. James Lassiter, Smith’s former manager, urged Smith to take the role of Agent J. According to Smith, Lassiter was “the arbiter of taste” for his acting career.
“In the heyday, the 10 movies I made at the top of my career, [James] was choosing the films,” Smith said. “He just had an eye. I didn’t want to make ‘Pursuit of Happyness.
It all started with Smith not wanting to make another alien-centric movie after 1996’s “Independence Day,” his first bonafide blockbuster. James Lassiter, Smith’s former manager, urged Smith to take the role of Agent J. According to Smith, Lassiter was “the arbiter of taste” for his acting career.
“In the heyday, the 10 movies I made at the top of my career, [James] was choosing the films,” Smith said. “He just had an eye. I didn’t want to make ‘Pursuit of Happyness.
- 8/4/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Will Smith is revealing how Steven Spielberg convinced him to take on a lead role in Men in Black.
During the latest episode of Kevin Hart’s Hart to Heart show, the actor said he was close to turning down several roles throughout his career if it wasn’t for James Lassiter, his former manager and longtime business partner.
Smith said Lassiter was “the arbiter of taste” and is actually the reason he even signed on to some of his most notable projects and roles. “In the heyday, the 10 movies I made at the top of my career, Jl was choosing the films,” he said. “He just, he just had an eye, I didn’t want to make Pursuit of Happyness. I didn’t want to make Ali…. And Jl picked Men in Black. I kind of understood Men in Black a little bit but I didn’t want to make Men in Black.
During the latest episode of Kevin Hart’s Hart to Heart show, the actor said he was close to turning down several roles throughout his career if it wasn’t for James Lassiter, his former manager and longtime business partner.
Smith said Lassiter was “the arbiter of taste” and is actually the reason he even signed on to some of his most notable projects and roles. “In the heyday, the 10 movies I made at the top of my career, Jl was choosing the films,” he said. “He just, he just had an eye, I didn’t want to make Pursuit of Happyness. I didn’t want to make Ali…. And Jl picked Men in Black. I kind of understood Men in Black a little bit but I didn’t want to make Men in Black.
- 8/4/2023
- by Carly Thomas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
You know the difference between Will Smith and any other young star of the mid-90s? He makes alien policing look good. As new recruit Agent J, Smith brought perfect energy to bounce off of crusty veteran Agent K, played by Tommy Lee Jones. With those two in the lead, Men in Black became an instant classic, brimming with buddy chemistry as the titular agents hunt down a rogue bug alien played by a transcendent Vincent D’Onofrio.
And yet, it took one of the most powerful men in Hollywood to get Will Smith on board. The rapper-turned-actor was a known quality during the long pre-production of Men in Black, having transitioned from sitcom star of The Fresh Prince of Bel–Air to blockbuster star with the back-to-back hits of Bad Boys and Independence Day. So when he was pitched a role in a Barry Sonnenfeld-directed adaptation of a little-known comic book,...
And yet, it took one of the most powerful men in Hollywood to get Will Smith on board. The rapper-turned-actor was a known quality during the long pre-production of Men in Black, having transitioned from sitcom star of The Fresh Prince of Bel–Air to blockbuster star with the back-to-back hits of Bad Boys and Independence Day. So when he was pitched a role in a Barry Sonnenfeld-directed adaptation of a little-known comic book,...
- 8/3/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
These days, comic book films are seen as massive franchises with bankable superstar casts, giant CGI battle sequences, and of course, recognizable comic book IP characters. And for the most part, it is safe to say that comic book media is becoming so common that even smaller, unknown characters are making their way into the mainstream. But before seeing Batman and Superman share the silver screen, and before seeing every generation of spider-man films cross over for an epic fan-favorite event, movies based on comics were slightly more taboo in Hollywood. And for most, it’s a shock to learn that before Agents J and K were busting aliens on the big screen, the Men in Black were protecting earth from alien threats on the pages of Marvel Comics.
Now, the Mib films are significantly more popular in the zeitgeist than the comics, and I personally love this franchise for the most part.
Now, the Mib films are significantly more popular in the zeitgeist than the comics, and I personally love this franchise for the most part.
- 5/23/2023
- by Kier Gomes
- JoBlo.com
February 16 marked the fifth anniversary of Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole’s “Black Panther.” Marvel Studios’ first Black-led superhero flick, starring the late Chadwick Boseman as the king of Wakanda, was seen as a watershed moment for Hollywood representation. With all the chatter about Marvel and DC films prioritizing diversity and inclusivity as a step forward for the caped sub-genre, the success of “Black Panther” was less a step forward and more a return to what was once the status quo generations prior.
Comic book and/or superhero movies fronted by Black actors, like the “Blade” trilogy and “Men in Black” series, once kept comic book features alive, only for Hollywood to declare them essentially whites-only as “Spider-Man” turned the genre into A-level tentpole IP.
Will Smith in “Men in Black 3”
While Hollywood chased pulp-era nostalgia, smaller superhero films centered on Black heroes to relative success.
The industry...
Comic book and/or superhero movies fronted by Black actors, like the “Blade” trilogy and “Men in Black” series, once kept comic book features alive, only for Hollywood to declare them essentially whites-only as “Spider-Man” turned the genre into A-level tentpole IP.
Will Smith in “Men in Black 3”
While Hollywood chased pulp-era nostalgia, smaller superhero films centered on Black heroes to relative success.
The industry...
- 2/21/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Get ready for a trip down memory lane as we take a look at the career of one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, Will Smith. From the streets of West Philadelphia to the bright lights of Hollywood, he has proven to be a versatile and talented actor, with a diverse range of films on his Will Smith movies list.
In this article, we’ll be ranking Will Smith’s top 10 best movies based on their reception and his performances. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering Will Smith’s work, this guide is for you. So, grab some popcorn, and let’s dive into the Will Smith movies list and discover the best movies of his career.
Top 10 Grossing Will Smith Movies
Will Smith is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars and it’s no surprise that many of his movies have grossed big numbers at the box office.
In this article, we’ll be ranking Will Smith’s top 10 best movies based on their reception and his performances. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just discovering Will Smith’s work, this guide is for you. So, grab some popcorn, and let’s dive into the Will Smith movies list and discover the best movies of his career.
Top 10 Grossing Will Smith Movies
Will Smith is one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars and it’s no surprise that many of his movies have grossed big numbers at the box office.
- 1/23/2023
- by Dee Gambit
- buddytv.com
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