Following the success of last summer's installment, Sony intends to continue to expand its lucrative "Men In Black" franchise, though how involved star Will Smith will be in the next chapter is uncertain.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has hired writer Oren Uziel to script "Men in Black 4," after he finishes writing the sequel to 2012's surprise hit "21 Jump Street."

"MiB 3" proved to be a winner, raking in a series-best $624 million worldwide and adding Josh Brolin and Emma Thompson to the films' roster of stars. While neither Brolin nor Thompson are likely to return for the fourth installment, Tommy Lee Jones has expressed an interest in reprising his role as Agent K once again. "I Hope we can start tomorrow," Jones quipped while promoting "MiB 3," citing his happiness with how well the third movie turned out.

The original "Men in Black" invaded theaters in 1997, finishing its box office run with a worldwide gross of over $587 million. The first sequel arrived in 2002 and grossed $442 million.