WILL SMITH SIGNS ON FOR 'BLACK 3'

Columbia has signed deals with Will Smith to return as alien-chasing government operative Agent Jay, as well as director Barry Sonnenfeld, producers Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald.

The movie will be in 3D and will open May 25, 2012, not the usual July 4 weekend date that Smith’s past summer blockbusters have occupied.

Tommy Lee Jones is in negotiations to reprise his role as Smith’s partner, Agent Kay, while Josh Brolin is in talks to star as a young version of the character (most of the action takes place in 1969).

Brolin’s involvement was rumored back in December, though his desire, as well as Smith’s participation, depended on the quality of the script. Etan Cohen ("Tropic Thunder") wrote the script, which underwent a polish by David Koepp. A story meeting is scheduled for this afternoon to keep ironing out the kinks. Cohen is back putting a sheen on the shooting draft.

Backend dealmaking also protracted the negotiations in Columbia’s attempt to make a third installment of its billion-dollar franchise.

The first “MIB,” released in 1997, was a surprise over-performer, grossing $589 million worldwide, while the second movie took in $441.8 million.