Men in Black was pretty entertaining, as well as a big money-maker for Columbia Pictures. On the other hand, the sequel may have been profitable, but it was about as much fun as an alien rectal probe.

Here’s hoping the third 'Men in Black' installment falls somewhere between those two. According to Variety, Columbia has hired Etan Cohen to pen Men in Black 3, adding to the list of high-profile assignments currently sitting on the comedy writer’s desk.

Cohen has a Sherlock Holmes project with Sacha Baron Cohen and Will Ferrell in development at Columbia. His recent output includes Tropic Thunder, which was both critically acclaimed and a box office hit last year, as well as the animated Madagascar: Escape to Africa. Cohen also wrote Idiocracy and for the television show King of the Hill.

Men in Black II was released in 2002, but it appears Columbia has been waiting for the right writer before going back to the franchise.

The first two 'Men in Black' films starred Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, who are currently not under contract for another film in the series. However, it is expected they would have to be involved in some manner before Columbia greenlights Men in Black 3.

E! Online has also reported that the studio is also lining up Barry Sonnenfeld, who directed Men in Black and Men in Black II, to helm the third installment.