By definition a sequel can’t be original. So you’ve got to figure out what worked the first time around. – Barry Sonnenfeld
There’s a series of children’s books called A Series of Unfortunate Events, which is like an incredibly dark version of Roald Dahl. I hope to start directing it. – Barry Sonnenfeld
These movies are like my kids. I just love them to death. Some of them go to Harvard and some of them can barely graduate high school. – Barry Sonnenfeld
They want to let the audience figure things out and let the reaction shot get the laugh. – Barry Sonnenfeld
Michael worked one day. Everybody was a little freaked out and nervous because he’s a really big star. We were already working with really big stars, but Michael is Michael. – Barry Sonnenfeld
I play the father in the scene when Will and Tommy go back to Tommy’s old apartment. It was a big mistake. I hope not to be in the next movie I direct. – Barry Sonnenfeld
Michael Jackson wanted to be in Men in Black II. He told me he had seen the first Men in Black in Paris and had stayed behind and sat there and wept. I had to explain to him that it was a comedy. – Barry Sonnenfeld
I really wanted Michael Jackson to be in the first Men in Black, but he didn’t want to be considered as an alien! – Barry Sonnenfeld
Will and Tommy Lee are the only actors I’ve ever worked with where neither of them want to say any lines. – Barry Sonnenfeld
We should all relax about life because you don’t have a clue as to what’s really going on. – Barry Sonnenfeld
I don’t think Will does get upstaged because his reaction is always funnier than what is actually happening. That is also the reason Tommy is funnier than Will. – Barry Sonnenfeld
When Frank the Pug is singing I Will Survive, the only reason it’s funny is that Will is in that shot trying not to get angry. A shot of a dog singing I Will Survive on its own will not get a laugh. – Barry Sonnenfeld
I was seeing a lot of really good things about Get Shorty when it came out, and my wife pointed out that if you validate the good reviews, you also have to validate the bad reviews. – Barry Sonnenfeld
