Sony Pictures is forging ahead on thatMen in Blackspinoff, and it appears casting is now underway. After developing different ideas on how to proceed with the franchise, including a potential crossover with theJump Streetseries, the studio settled on a hard reboot and enlistedThe Fate of the FuriousfilmmakerF. Gary Grayto take the helm earlier this month.
Now, perTHR,Chris Hemsworthis in early negotiations to star in the sci-fi action-comedy spinoff. This new story, which has a script byIron ManwritersMatt HollowayandArt Marcum, involves a white character, a black woman, and an older man and is set in London. Hemsworth, who showcased his comedic chops tremendously well inThor: Ragnarok, would presumably fill the “white character” role, but it’s unclear how these characters relate to each other or what kind of story is being told.
This movie is taking theJurassic Worldroute and rebooting the franchise with new characters, while not ignoring the history of the previous three films. Hemsworth has just come to an end to his lengthy Marvel Studios deal, in which he will have played Thor in a total of seven films. That deal concludes with May 2019’sAvengers 4, and while a deal forMen in Blackis far from closed, it’s clear the actor isn’t averse to leading new franchises outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Hemsworth actually hedged his bets with 2012’sSnow White and the Huntsman, reprising his role in 2016’sThe Huntsman: Winter’s War. He was alsoannounced as returningas Captain Kirk in aStar Trek Beyondsequel involving time travel, but the tepid box office performance of thatTreksequel has put a fourthTrekmovie in doubt.Quentin Tarantinois now working on an originalTrekfilm with producerJ.J. Abramsthat sounds like it would supersede that Hemsworth/Chris Pineversion.
The deal forMen in Blackis far from closed but it’s clear this movie is now actually happening, barreling towards a August 27, 2025 release date. If Hemsworth does sign on, who would you pick to fill the other two roles? Sound off in the comments below.
