Both Men in Black and 21 Jump Street are classics on their own but what if you were to combine the two to create the perfect amalgamation? Well, if you don’t already know this, Channing Tatum and Will Smith’s respective franchises almost came together for a crossover film which would’ve served as the third addition to the 21 Jump Street film series.
Unfortunately, the idea was too good to be true and after a lot of hassle, the makers just gave up on it, much to the fans’ dismay. It has been years since the release of 22 Jump Street and fans are still hoping that the threequel will happen and collide the two worlds, especially after Channing Tatum stated that the film had the “perfect” script.
Channing Tatum Talks about 23 Jump Street and its Perfect Script
Channing Tatum starred alongside Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street where they played the role of two police officers going undercover at a high school in order to bust a drug supplier and control the spread of the drug. The film was a hit amongst fans and critics and so did the sequel.
Back in 2014, Sony Pictures fell victim to a company-wide data breach after a hacker leaked private emails. The emails held conversations about future projects including a Men in Black and Jump Street crossover film titled MIB 23. As we all know, this never made it past the development stage.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Online, Tatum stated that the shelved film had a “perfect” script and hoped that perhaps they could finally bring it to life now.
We have a perfect script that we couldn’t get made for a bunch of reasons. Maybe now we can try to revisit it. I don’t know, there’s a lot of obstacles on that one as you could imagine. I was talking to Tom Rothman (chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures) about it and he was like, ‘How could we get it done?’
Tatum continued that since the original script was so good, everything else they try to write simply does not touch the bar.
The script was perfect. It was a perfect idea and it was perfectly executed so, anything that we’ve written other than that it just hasn’t hit the bar and we are not gonna just go make it just to make it. You know, those first two movies were special for me and Jonah.
Tatum does not want to make a third Jump Street until and unless the team is able to find themselves a script as worthy as the original. Perhaps they could even execute the OG idea and bring Will Smith in for the ride.
Fans Are Begging for a Men in Black and Jump Street Crossover
Ever since fans learned that the original idea was apparently so perfect and that Tatum hopes to bring a third Jump Street to life as soon as possible, they have been calling for the crossover to happen.
They are desperately hoping that Tom Rothman gives the green signal to MIB 23, making way for one of the most insane crossovers of all time.
Here’s what the fans had to say about it all:
“TOM ROTHMAN!! GIVE ME THAT MIB/JUMP STREET CROSSOVER AND MY LIFE IS YOURS!!!” pic.twitter.com/opIvc0XYSm
— Lee (@FilmItLee) July 9, 2024
Just do the damn MIB crossover pleaseeeeee lol
— HHN Trash Can (@trainerstephenk) July 9, 2024
Give us that crossover script please
— Campy (@NerdAnonymus) July 9, 2024
This is going to be the wildest movie if they stick to that original cancelled script 🤣 Please let this happen!
— DrixPerspective (@washedjohn) July 9, 2024
Missed opportunity pic.twitter.com/bW8KmMqEts
— JAY (@Jayhatesports1) July 9, 2024
A couple of years ago, Jump Street directors Christopher Miller and Phil Lord appeared on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. Miller revealed that the shelved script was “very funny and very crazy.” The basic idea was that Hill and Tatum’s characters would be in the middle of a medical school adventure when they cross paths with the world of Men in Black and team up to stop an alien takeover.
Now that is something we would love to watch!
You can rent/buy 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street from Prime Video. The first 3 Men in Black films are available to stream on Peacock Premium while Men in Black: International can be found on Hulu.
