In a stellar casting move that will no doubt be immediately co-signed by the entire internet,AnnihilationstarTessa Thompsonis set to join herThor: Ragnarokco-starChris Hemsworthin Sony’s upcomingMen in Blackspinoff.Fate of the FuriousandStraight Outta ComptonhelmerF. Gary Grayis set to direct the franchise reboot/spinoff, which has a script byIron ManwritersMatt HollowayandArt Marcumand will reportedly take place in London.
Sony Pictures developed a few different ideas for the sci-fi adventure franchise along the way, including a potential crossover with theJump Streetfilms, but ultimately settled on something of a soft reboot, which takes theJurassic Worldapproach by sticking to the existing world and history of the original film series while rebooting the franchise with new characters. Previous reports said the film would center on a white male, black woman, and an older man, and with the news of Thompson’s casting,THRadds that the spinoff will be “more of an ensemble piece than a two-hander and will be more global in scope.”
The newMen in Blackwill build on the franchise’s world of sci-fi wonders, which originally starredWill SmithandTommy Lee Jonesas Agents K and J, respectively, in the secretive agency that monitors relations between humans and aliens on earth. The first three films were directed byBarry Sonnenfeld.
Thompson is having a banger of a year in 2018. Coming off the success of Marvel’sThor: Ragnarok, she’s already appeared inAlex Garland’s visionary sci-fi mind-benderAnnihilationand the sci-fi comedyFurlough(not to mention the iconic appearance in Janelle Monae’sMake Me Feelvideo). Next up, Thomson will star in Annapurna’s festival hitSorry to Bother YoualongsideLakeith Stanfieldand return as Charlotte Hale in Season 2 of HBO’s big-budget sci-fi hit,Westworld. She’s currently filmingCreed 2withMichael B. JordanandSylvester Stallone, and is expected to appear as Valkyrie inAvengers: Infinity War.
