The 25th anniversary of Men in Black, probably one of the most important science fiction movies in box office history, was celebrated last month
It also demonstrated how sci-fi and buddy comedy could coexist as one. That release not only brought a big genre franchise to the mix—one that would continue to be successful decades later.
It advanced the field in terms of the blending of visual and practical effects and supported Will Smith, a rising star. That first film, though, might have taken a completely different turn, one that may have caused it to lose some of its lustrs
Not only was the original Men in Black script drastically different, but finally adjustments were made to cut out an entire storyline from the finished movie.
However, for those working in the trenches of the production, the direction of the film had changed fairly radically, possibly for the betterment of simplifying the hugely successful blockbuster.
An authentic cosmic war, which drove the narrative and was, therefore, a vital component of the structure of the entire film, was the battle at the centre of the initial incarnation of Men in Black.
However, it’s helpful to resort to an interview that director Barry Sonnenfeld gave to the site Monster Legacy in order to adequately convey what that initial script was.
It’s an intriguing concept that could have given the proceedings a bit more substance. You might recall the premise of the final iteration of Men in Black,
The movie’s earlier version, however, would have added dimension, putting Earth in much greater peril as humans become embroiled in these warring groups