Behind the Scenes of “Men in Black”: The Last-Minute Ending

Introduction

Welcome to the backstage world of “Men in Black”, a classic film that has intrigued and entertained audiences for decades. This article reveals the frantic, last-minute addition to the film’s ending. We’ll delve into the unique Sunday routine of the director, Barry Sonnenfeld, his interactions with the star-studded production team, and the unexpected challenges they faced. So, let’s dive into this fascinating behind-the-scenes journey.

Sonnenfeld’s Sunday Routine

Every week, in the heart of the principal photography for “Men in Black,” Sonnenfeld would indulge in a Sunday routine. This tradition, which had its roots in the “Addams Family” movies, involved re-reading the script and reviewing his footage. Each session revealed new insights about his film, but also served as a constant reminder of a glaring issue – the lack of an ending.

The Original Climax

So, what was the original ending? According to Sonnenfeld, the climax of the film was a philosophical debate between Will Smith’s character and a 15-foot-tall, million-dollar animatronic bug, designed by Rick Baker. Sonnenfeld would frequently express his dissatisfaction with this ending to the production team, which included Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, and Sony’s vice-chair Lucy Fisher.

The Screenplay and the Ending Dilemma

The screenplay of “Men in Black” was the brainchild of Ed Solomon, a brilliant writer who certainly deserved his solo credit. However, when it came to fixing the ending, Solomon was unavailable. This led to the recruitment of a writer from “Friends,” who, despite making some comedic contributions, failed to solve the ending dilemma.

Sonnenfeld’s Vision for the Ending

Sonnenfeld had a sketchy idea for the finale. He envisioned a dynamic climax with Edgar, the antagonist, attempting to leave Earth in his spaceship. The climax would involve Will Smith’s character trying to keep Edgar on Earth, and when that fails, doing something that forces Edgar to descend from his spaceship.

Edgar’s Weaknesses and the Final Climax

Edgar, portrayed by Vincent D’Onofrio, had a peculiar weakness – sugar water. Sonnenfeld considered using this weakness in the climax, with Will Smith’s character possibly triggering a soda machine to spray sugary liquid everywhere. Another idea was to have Smith’s character start squashing cockroaches, Edgar’s Earth-bug relatives. The latter idea, coupled with some improvisation by Will Smith, became the final climax of the film.

Challenges on Set and Financial Hurdles

Despite some difficulties with the cockroach wrangler on set, the team managed to film the desired scenes. However, Sonnenfeld faced new challenges. He needed additional funds for the CGI-heavy opening and closing credits sequence, as well as for the World’s Fair set piece. The total cost came to a whopping $4.5 million.

Conclusion

Against all odds, Sonnenfeld and his team pulled off an unforgettable ending for “Men in Black.” This intriguing behind-the-scenes journey serves as a testament to the creativity, improvisation, and sheer determination involved in the filmmaking process.

FAQs

Who directed “Men in Black”?

The film was directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.

Who wrote the screenplay for “Men in Black”?

The screenplay was written by Ed Solomon.

What was the original ending of “Men in Black”?

The original ending involved a philosophical debate between Will Smith’s character and a giant animatronic bug.

What was the final climax of “Men in Black”?

The final climax involved Will Smith’s character squashing cockroaches to distract the antagonist, Edgar.

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