Sony has hired Tropic Thunder writer Etan Cohen to work on a script for Men in Black III.

THR says Barry Sonnenfeld, who directed the first movie, will probably be back. Will Smith still hasn’t committed to the project, and while there are rumors floating around that he’s now interested in coming back but we will have to wait and see.

What’s twisted is that it sounds like Sony might take the “with or without you” approach to Will Smith (and/or Tommy Lee Jones) when it comes to MIB. Not only have they hired their screenwriter but, they plan to start shooting in 2010.

[Rant]

I’m not going to sit here and say that no one else could possibly play MIB agents and act like Will Smith is the greatest actor or anything, that would be disingenuous at best. However, when it comes to MIB.. that franchise “IS” both Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, they own those roles now and have made those suits “look good” twice now. I think replacing them would be box office suicide.

What say you? Let me know in the comments!