K (Tommy Lee Jones) and J (Will Smith) are a pair of elite cops monitoring
alien activity on Earth for an agency that doesn't officially exist -- the
Men In Black, providers of intergalactic immigration services and regulators
of all things alien.
While investigating a series of unregistered close encounters, the MIB agents
uncover the deadly plot of an intergalactic terrorist who is on a mission
to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies. In order to prevent
worlds from colliding, K and J must track down the terrorist before the
earth is destroyed in the bargain -- just another typical day for the MIB
as they protect our planet from the scum of the universe.
Dr. Laurel Weaver (Linda Fiorentino), New York City's Deputy Medical Examiner,
is unwittingly drawn into the plot while investigating a spate of unusually
dead victims.
Columbia Pictures presents Men in Black, scheduled to open July 2, 1997.
Based on the Lowell Cunningham comic book series, Men In Black is directed
by Barry Sonnenfeld with Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald producing
and Steven Spielberg serving as executive producer. The screenplay and
screen story is by Ed Solomon. Special visual effects technology is being
crafted for the film by Industrial Light & Magic, and Academy Award®-winning
special make-up effects artist Rick Baker is the designer and creator of
Men in Black's menagerie of alien creatures.
In the summer of 1992, producers Walter Parkes and Laurie MacDonald optioned
the graphic novel from a little-known comic book series entitled The Men
in Black. They were attracted to the comic's premise because of its human
protagonists doing battle with the extraordinary in our everyday world.
"The interesting thing about many comic book properties is that they're
generally about creatures," says Parkes. "But with Men in Black,
we had these extraordinarily cool agents, G-men types who use human strength
and intelligence to battle alien creatures." he says.
The idea that the Men in Black really exist is based on an urban legend
created by individuals who claim to have had encounters with aliens only
to have mysterious men in black appear at the scene and cover-up the incident.
When director Barry Sonnenfeld, a native New Yorker, first read the screenplay
for MIB three years ago, he was immediately struck by the humor of this
story and the challenge to direct a film unlike anything he's done
before.
"I loved its sensibility," he says. "And I've always believed
deeply in my heart that we as humans really don't have a clue about what's
going on. I wanted to make a movie that in a light and fun sort of way
shows us that perhaps we really are clueless."
"The story really ponders the existence of a whole other reality that's
around us that we're totally unaware of, so that when you walk out of the
movie, you might very well look at the world in a different way," says
Parkes.
Celebrated for his wry and sophisticated humor in movies like The Addams
Family films and the recent comedy hit Get Shorty, Sonnenfeld's talents
offered the perfect combination of style and humor for creating Men in Black.
"There really isn't anyone else like Barry with such keen comic sensibilities
and great visual style," says Laurie MacDonald. "Barry's a sophisticated
director who knows how to have fun in a smart way."
Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith are the Men in Black. Jones plays Agent
Kay, a world-weary founding member of the MIB poised to train his new partner
J (Will Smith).
"It's always about the cast and the words," says Sonnenfeld.
"Tommy Lee and Will are perfect for their roles. All the director
has to do with good words and the right cast is maintain a consistent tone
to the film."
The casting of Tommy Lee Jones plays right into Sonnenfeld's kind of comedy.
"Tommy is a wonderful anchor for the film as an actor who isn't a
comedian or known for comedy roles but plays them masterfully," notes
MacDonald, "and Will brings complete authenticity to a comic role."
Sonnenfeld, Parkes and MacDonald are supported by an impressive production
team including cinematographer Don Peterman whom Sonnenfeld worked with
on Addams Family Values and Get Shorty, production designer Bo Welch, set
decorator Cheryl Carasik, costume designer Mary Vogt and editor Jim Miller
who is working with Sonnenfeld for the fifth time after outings on Addams
Family Values, For Love or Money, The Addams Family and Get Shorty.
Visual effects supervisor and 2nd Unit Director Eric Brevig from Industrial
Light & Magic and Rick Baker, a three-time Academy Award® winner
for special effects make-up are also on board to create the unique worlds
of the MIB past, present and future.
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