Learn why Men in Black III began shooting with an incomplete script

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

We’ve heard a lot about the script troubles plaguing MEN IN BLACK III. Etan Cohen (TROPIC THUNDER) originally penned the screenplay, and then Jeff Nathanson (CATCH ME IF YOU CAN) worked on it, and most recently David Koepp (JURASSIC PARK) was brought in for an extensive rewrite. Production is currently on hiatus.

But would such an expensive venture go into production with an incomplete script? The Hollywood Reporter dove a little deeper to answer that question. Sony made the controversial decision to cash in on a tax incentive. They feared that New York’s incentive program would expire at the end of 2010, so they rushed production to begin in November, only to have the program extended another 5 years. Now it is possible that the costs of stalling production will outweigh the savings.

The expedited production was also likely the result of all of the key players – Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and director Barry Sonnenfeld – finally being available. Although both Sonnenfeld and producer Walter Parkes (who have been known to clash on the previous films) were happy, Smith was apparently the one who wanted changes made to Cohen’s version of the script.

Sony reportedly expected to save over $35 million with the tax incentive, but the budget is looking like it will be well over $200 million. MEN IN BLACK III hits theaters in 3D on May 25, 2012 – if it’s finished by then. Do you think it will overcome the odds stacked against it?