Will Smith greets Chinese fans on the big screen during Wednesday's premiere of "Men in Black 3." [China.org.cn]
The Men in Black are back!
Charismatic superstar Will Smith was wired in to talk "face-to-face" live on the big screen with Chinese reporters and fans during Wednesday's premiere of one of most anticipated summer blockbusters, "Men in Black 3."
On being asked about the huge time gap between installments of the science fiction comedy franchise, Smith said:"We worked hard to ensure that it was worth making a third movie in the series." The first installment was made back in 1997, and the gap between installments 2 and 3 is a lengthy ten years.
Smith added: "Rather than just making a sequel for the sake of making a sequel, we really want to make a movie that is creative, that is clever, that stands on its own as a movie even it wasn't a 'Men in Black sequel'. The crucial thing is to make a great movie."
Due to his attendance at the world premiere of the film in New York, Smith was unable to be in China in person. But before he left to attend the dazzling New York event, he was answering questions from Chinese fans via a DMAX (China's own version of Imax technology) big screen in Beijing. It was the first such premier-related event of its kind in China.
"Men in Black 3," based on the comic book series by Lowell Cunningham, was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld and stars Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, along with Josh Brolin.
China.org.cn was invited by Columbia Pictures' China office to view "Men in Black 3" two days prior to its mass release, and, on balance, it's fair to say that while the film falls below the high standards set by the first film, it is certainly an improvement on the 2002 sequel.
The film is fast-paced and entertaining, action-packed and sometimes hilarious. The stars also complement each other, with the older, rather waning Tommy Lee Jones outshone by the rather more energetic younger version Jones' "Agent K" character. The film also features a rather revealing and somewhat emotional ending.
Besides the main storyline, the sub-plots and extras are also entertaining, including a cameo appearance by Lady Gaga and funny cultural references to Andy Warhol (The 1960s icon is played by Bill Hader) and veteran rocker Mick Jagger.
Touching of the film's central theme of time travel, one fan asked Smith what he would do if he could jump back in time to an earlier period in American history. The question prompted a joke from Smith regarding the racial tensions which existed in the America of the past. "It was bad for a black man back then," said Smith. "Now that Obama is president, I think this is the best time [in America's history] for black people. I would rather look to the future than go back to the past."
Smith commented that he had no idea how much "Men in Black 3" would gross in China, but he noted that the Chinese market is the single fastest-growing market, and is poised to become the biggest. He also hinted that there could be a fourth installment of the hit franchise if "Men In Black 3" is a success, with the further possibility of bringing Jackie Chan and Smith's son, Jaden into the cast.
Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith collaborated on the China-US coproduction "The Karate Kid" in 2010, a film which was produced by Will and his wife, Jada.
"Men in Black 3" will hit screens worldwide on May 25.