As a longtime fan of both the Men in Black franchise and Jewish culture, I can’t help but be in awe of how Etan Cohen’s personal experiences and deep connection to Maimonides’ teachings influenced his work on Men in Black 3. The filmmaker’s contemplative approach to Yom Kippur, a day steeped in reflection and atonement, is a testament to the profound impact that our heritage and beliefs can have on our creative processes.
On Yom Kippur, there aren’t many activities besides praying, pondering, and studying. This significant annual Jewish holiday, marked by one of the most sacred dates on the calendar, primarily focuses on seeking forgiveness for past mistakes. The practice of fasting, abstaining from food and drink, is a poignant reminder that living a meaningful life transcends our physical requirements.
As a gamer, I reflect on the teachings of Maimonides, also known as Rambam, during the introspective season of atonement. His 12th century Torah scholarship offers valuable insights on how every choice we make in life can sway towards the positive or negative path. According to filmmaker Etan Cohen, who shared this perspective with SYFY WIRE.
How a Jewish Scholar from the Middle Ages Helped Inspire Men in Black 3
Around late 2009, Cohen was faced with the challenge of writing the script for a new “Men in Black” film, marking the return of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones after a decade-long hiatus from the silver screen. With everyone, including the stars, director Barry Sonnenfeld, composer Danny Elfman, and executive producer Steven Spielberg, on board, it was decided that another installment would be made. (The movie is now available to stream on Peacock!) The idea that small choices can lead to significant impacts in the grand scheme of things resonated deeply during this experience.
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The new Men in Black installment, eagerly anticipated as the next chapter in this renowned series, had an additional responsibility – wrapping up the thrilling extraterrestrial encounters of Agents J (Smith) and K (Jones) with a fitting end. “It was quite intriguing to devise a conclusion that didn’t merely feel like Part 3,” Cohen explains. “We aimed to delve deeper into the Men in Black lore, revealing the untold story behind the story.”
In the writer’s mind, swirling thoughts of free will and destiny collided like subatomic particles in a supercollider, leading him to introduce an element of time travel to the narrative – an intriguing twist in a grand cinematic universe where galaxies are diminutive in comparison and civilizations could be hidden within seemingly insignificant train station lockers.
In July 1969, J had a crucial mission: saving a young K (pre-Thanos Josh Brolin) from Boris, a merciless alien assassin played by Jemaine Clement. Simultaneously, J was tasked with ensuring the successful launch of Earth’s shield, a planet-protecting asset, during the Apollo 11 mission. This straightforward objective brought an exhilarating new cosmic dimension to the series.
I can’t help but be intrigued by the playful exploration of conspiracy theories in “Men in Black,” particularly concerning the Moon landing. The intrigue surrounding this historic event is endless, and Cohen cleverly weaves this theme into the story. Additionally, introducing Will as an African American character in the late 60s added an exciting layer of tension that Smith found compelling to explore.
In the final moments of Act 3, Cohen’s script delivers a powerful emotional blow. It turns out that K, known for his harsh demeanor in modern times, developed this reputation due to an unfortunate event during the Moon launch in 1969. Unforeseen damage occurred, leading Boris to take the life of J’s father – who was played by a younger Mike Colter before his Luke Cage days. Overwhelmed by guilt, K vowed to protect J’s son until he came of age and could be approached by the clandestine organization.
The “Men in Black” series shines most when viewers think, “So that’s why Andy Warhol was an MiB agent!” Cohen remarks about the surprising twist. On a deeper emotional level, this revelation sparked a reaction of, “Ah, now I understand why they have such a close bond as partners.” It felt like all the pieces were coming together for a satisfying ending in the third installment. A memorable moment during production was when Steven Spielberg read the script and believed it surpassed the original film.
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On May 25, 2012, the third installment of the film series hit theaters. This movie was praised by both critics and audiences, who believed it surpassed its less impressive prequel from a decade ago. The retro ’60s atmosphere, Brolin’s chilling portrayal of Jones, and Smith’s captivating presence were among the film’s notable strengths.
As a huge fan, I’m thrilled to share that Men in Black 3 managed to rake in an impressive $654 million plus at the global box office, making it the highest-earning installment in the series. Although the original from 1997 continues to hold the title for greatest profitability when considering production costs and ticket sales.
Although the previous installments had achieved great acclaim and financial gains, there were no plans for a fourth one. Cohen explains, “It was quite a feat to bring everyone back for the project and reach a consensus on the storyline. The experience of reuniting the team was truly remarkable. I believe we saw it as the final chapter in the series, which added to the pressure to create an authentic ending rather than setting up for a sequel.”
In Hollywood, franchises don’t get to retire with grace; instead, they’re often revived after a hiatus. case in point: “Men in Black: International,” which came out seven years later and featured new leads, Agents H (Chris Hemsworth) and M (Tessa Thompson). However, the reception was underwhelming compared to the original pair, Smith and Jones. Fans wondered if the franchise’s essence was lost without their involvement, making them question the purpose of the reboot.
Cohen concluded, “You need to run the idea past them, we’d often remark. This scenario might be typical of noir, cop, or detective stories, but set in our world. And if those two actors don’t embody their roles flawlessly, it’s challenging to visualize the film without them… I believe the movie fails to thrive without their exceptional chemistry.”
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2024-07-22 17:46