Josh Brolin in Men in Black 3?

Published by Jeff Leins on: December 9th, 2009

Josh Brolin may become a Man in Black.  The Oscar-nominated actor is being rumored for a role in Men in Black 3 alongside franchise favorite Will Smith.  It’s not immediately clear whether Tommy Lee Jones will join them though.

The LA Times’ Hero Complex reports Brolin is “being considered” for the role of Agent K, the part played by Jones in the first two installments of the science fiction comedy series.  The “chatter” isn’t clear whether TLJ will be passing the torch to Brolin and retiring from the secret government agency (again), or if Brolin is set to play K as a young man in MIIIB.

Smith is definitely set to return, though no timetable was given as to when the cast and production schedule would be finalized.  Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder) is writing the script.  Sony has yet to greenlight the movie, even though the first two made over $1 billion worldwide.

Brolin’s schedule may be an issue.  Though he’s wrapped on Oliver Stone’s Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps and Jonah Hex (now in reshoots), the 41-year-old former Goonie is also working with the Cohen brothers again on True Grit and starring in the crime drama Cartel in 2010.

I’d love to know where they’re headed with this sequel.  If he’s playing a young K, it may end up being some sort of origin story of how the agency was formed and in that case, the part might end up being nothing more than an extended cameo.  Then again, a Brolin/Smith team might be enough to make me intrigued again, especially after the so-so second movie.

What do you think?  Men in Black without Tommy Lee Jones?  Josh Brolin wearing the shades and suit?  Aww hell naw?