As a seasoned sci-fi enthusiast who’s seen more galaxies than I care to remember, I can confidently say that the original Men in Black trilogy (now streaming on Peacock) is a cosmic masterpiece that transcends traditional action flicks. The thoughtful approach to world-building and deep existential questions is mind-boggling, making one wonder if our galaxy is nothing more than a speck in someone’s backyard.
The original Men in Black trilogy (now available on Peacock) continues to be iconic not only due to the exceptional chemistry between Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones but also because of its profound exploration of science fiction themes. This exploration extends to both the intricate world-building and broader contemplations about humanity’s role within a larger cosmic context. For example, each film isn’t shy about tackling deep existential questions and, significantly, it often serves as a humbling reminder of our relative insignificance in the grand cosmos.
Could it be that our galaxy is tucked away inside a giant marble, or maybe the entire universe is just a tiny civilization like Whoville in Dr. Seuss’s stories, enclosed within a train station locker? After all, anything could be true! This thought-provoking perspective on existence was initially proposed by Ed Solomon, the original screenwriter of Men in Black. Unlike many action-packed movies, he aimed to create a more introspective narrative, but this innovative approach created a creative divide between him and producer Walter Parkes, as well as director Barry Sonnenfeld.
As a passionate gamer diving into the world of Men in Black, I’ve always been curious about the intriguing connections within this universe. Contrary to popular belief, the slimy critters from MIB are not kin to Jabba the Hutt. In fact, the directors and production designers behind this sci-fi classic have revealed that linking those creatures was one of the toughest challenges they faced during the film’s creation. So, let’s delve deeper into the making of Men in Black II, focusing on the enigmatic Zartha video tape!
How the Ending of Men in Black Changed a Week Before It was Filmed
In the companion book for the series, Solomon shares his desire for an ending that was more thought-provoking and sci-fi oriented, with Agent J (Smith) conversing with the Edgarbug about cosmic topics to prevent him from leaving Earth after K (Jones) voluntarily gets consumed. On the other hand, Parkes believed the film’s finale should be action-packed, featuring Agent J and K battling an alien instead. Sonnenfeld, who later directed both sequels, supported this viewpoint. “Throughout the movie,” he explains, “it was just Will Smith having a conversation with Edgarbug about humanity and the universe, without any action scenes.”
As the final showdown approached in just a week, the team sought guidance from their executive producer, Steven Spielberg. Known as the uncontested genius of cinema, he didn’t let them down, coming up with two ingenious ideas for the scene. The first idea was to have J force open a vending machine filled with Coca-Cola, exploiting the Bug’s strong craving for sweet liquid shown earlier in the film. However, it was Spielberg’s second proposal – having J capitalize on the intergalactic pest’s massive inferiority complex by mockingly crushing common earth cockroaches – that they ultimately went with.
In the process of transforming Solomon’s ending into a more visually striking spectacle, the production team found that they couldn’t incorporate the intricately crafted Edgarbug puppet by Rick Baker and his team. As Sonnenfeld recounts in his book, “…the bug wasn’t capable of performing the actions required by the script.” According to Parkes, this was a significant turning point in the film industry, marking the decline of extensive animatronics.
As a gamer diving into this project, I was initially caught off guard, but I gladly handed over the reins to the digital magicians at Industrial Light & Magic. Collaborating closely with Sonnenfeld and Spielberg, ILM breathed life into a completely CGI Edgarbug, staying true to his insectoid origins while contrasting my reptilian-influenced design. Benton Jew, the one credited with the final body makeover, shared that Spielberg envisioned the Edgarbug reminiscent of “The Zanti Misfits,” a memorable episode from The Outer Limits showcasing an alien bug species known for their quirky, grinning faces.
In the eleventh hour, they hastily created a fresh ending for “Men in Black,” which increased its overall cost but turned out to be a smart investment. Not every last-minute redo is worthwhile, but this one was, according to Sonnenfeld. He says, “We’re fortunate we did it because it worked out perfectly.”
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2024-07-31 21:16