The stars turned out on Wednesday for the premiere of Men In Black II, with action men Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith back in their original roles taking on an alien invader in the form of Lara Flynn Boyle.
On the black – rather than traditional red – carpet for the first airing in Westwood, Los Angeles, were Friends actor Matthew Perry, Samuel L Jackson and Thora Birch. But Will, Tommy Lee and their new nemesis Lara Flynn Boyle were definitely the stars of the shows. All were greeted upon arriving at the cinema by screaming fans, who had been waiting since 1997 for this second adventure of the alien-busting cops.
Fresh from the triumph of his Oscar-nominated role in the Muhammad Ali biopic, Ali, Will told the waiting reporters he believed the success of the first Men In Black was down to people’s belief in aliens.
The actor’s wife, Jade Pinkett Smith, said that while he could portray an alien-busting cop on screen, in real life Will was afraid of spiders – let alone extra-terrestrial creatures. She told reporters outside the theatre that Will had to call for help to deal with “three tiny brown spiders” during a recent holiday in Spain.
Meanwhile, co-star Tommy Lee was already talking about a possible third episode. The actor revealed he would be quite prepared to take part in Men In Black III – should the occasion ever arise. “It’s up to audience if they want it to be a franchise,” he said.
Opening in the US next week and the UK in August, Men In Black II sees Will, as Agent Jay, and Tommy Lee as Agent Kay uncovering a plot masterminded by sinister alien seductress Serleena, played by Lara.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
