Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson's sci-fi misfire Men in Black: International is leaving Peacock, marking another chapter in the franchise's troubled streaming lifecycle. The 2019 sequel, which cost Sony roughly $110 million to produce, failed to justify its budget at the global box office, earning just $426 million worldwide against inflated production and marketing costs.
Director F. Gary Gray helmed the spinoff, which attempted to rebrand the Men in Black universe with fresh leads rather than reprising Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. The film underperformed critically and commercially, earning considerably less than the original trilogy and signaling audience fatigue with the franchise's direction. Hemsworth and Thompson's chemistry couldn't salvage a script that felt disconnected from what audiences loved about the original 1997 film and its sequels.
The removal from Peacock reflects broader streaming economics. Studios rotate licensed content based on viewing data and licensing agreements, and underperforming titles get the axe first. For NBC Universal's streaming service, housing a failed $110 million gamble doesn't make financial sense when shelf space remains premium real estate.
Sony has been quietly exploring a reboot of the Men in Black franchise, according to industry sources. The studio recognizes the IP's dormant potential but needs to identify the right creative vision. The franchise's stumble hasn't killed it entirely. Hollywood still views Men in Black as a property with franchise DNA, strong merchandising appeal, and built-in recognition.
Hemsworth remains a reliable star in action vehicles like the Thor films, while Thompson has pivoted toward more selective projects following underperformers. Neither actor will face career consequences from Men in Black: International's failure, though the film serves as a cautionary tale about extended universes built on nostalgia alone.
The vanishing of Men in Black: International from Peacock won