[_____V_____]

We learned that Columbia was finally moving forward with a third Men in Black movie back in April, but at the time there was no script attached to the project, and it just seemed like one of those way off things. In October we learned that Tropic Thunder/Idiocracy screenwriter Etan Cohen had been brought on board to carve out a script. Columbia must have a draft in hand, because they’re already beginning the casting process.

According to the Los Angeles Times Hero Complex Blog, Josh Brolin (W., No Country For Old Men) is in consideration for a lead role in the third film.

It is unclear if Brolin would play a new single-monikered government agent or Tommy Lee Jones‘ character Agent K, as a young man. What isn't known, however, is exactly who Brolin would play. He could play a new single-monikered government agent, reports The Times, with Tommy Lee Jones' Agent K passing the baton to Brolin's character. Or he could play Agent K as a young man. Or something else entirely.

There’s no word yet on Jones’ involvement, but Will Smith is expected to return, if they can fit the sequel into his busy schedule.

Sony wants to get the film into production in 2010 although it lacks a green light and having director Barry Sonnenfeld return is still tentative.

It may also be a bit of an issue for Brolin as he’s showing no sign of slowing down with roles in both the Coen Brothers’ True Grit and the mafia crime drama Cartel on his schedule for the first half of 2010 so if they want him (and they should; the dude is great and it’s looking like Jonah Hex could push him over the top), they’ll have to try and lock him down and kick MIB 3 into high gear.