Disney Men in Black, my seventeenth story on FanFiction.net, will make its debut this Friday on the site after months of hype. Much like The Disney Ghostbusters, the crossover saga that preceded it, "Disney MiB" combines the world of Disney with a non-Disney property that manages to fit in perfectly with it. And much like the DGB series, some fans of the non-Disney franchise (in this case, Men in Black) will probably disagree with the idea of the two worlds coming together. Either way, "Disney MiB" is on track to be another entertaining crossover in lieu of DGB.
Here's a list of ten things you can expect from the first story:
#1: Characters from the three Men in Black films will be involved (including Agents J and K)
Unlike "The Disney Ghostbusters," which featured new characters based on those from the Ghostbusters films in last name only, "Disney MiB" will feature the actual characters from the MIB movies. Of course, characters like Agents J and K, who were the main focus on the films, will take a backseat in this story to allow new characters like Chrissy ("Agent C") and Agents S, M, and R be front and center. You will also see Agent Zed involved in the story, as well as Frank the Pug, "The Worms," and Jack Jeebs - each of them playing their own role alongside certain Disney aliens.
And speaking of Disney aliens...
#2: Lilo & Stitch and Treasure Planet characters play major roles
Disney has a great library of characters that fit in well with non-Disney franchises. With "The Disney Ghostbusters," I'd incorporated a lot of Disney Villains as the main ghostly antagonists of each story in the series with some even teaming up or fighting each other. In "Disney MiB," I face an entirely different challenge with including characters who are literally alien in nature to fit into the combined worlds of Disney and Men In Black. Stitch from Lilo & Stitch is the easiest, hence why he's featured in the logo, and other characters and settings from the movie provide enough basis to coexist in a universe where the M.I.B. is present. In fact, Cobra Bubbles (the character voiced by Ving Rhames) is actually inspired by the Men in Black, which is evident from his involvement in "an incident at Roswell in 1973" and his relationship with the Grand Councilwoman. It is this reason why Bubbles is the Head of M.I.B. in "Disney MiB," a role that challenges Zed's in the story, which will be explained when he makes his first appearance.
As far as Treasure Planet characters go, Long John Silver and his band of "space pirates" play a major role in latter chapters as members of the intergalactic terrorist organization known as "The Coalition."
Another notable connection these two films and Men in Black have: they were both released in 2002 - the year Men in Black 2 was released!
#3: Gravity Falls represents the "Disney Channel" side of the storyline
Season 2 of Gravity Falls has yet to air on Disney Channel or Disney XD, which should be enough of a reason for fans to check out "Disney MiB" when characters from the show make an appearance. The oddity of the show with its supernatural mysteries will fit in perfectly with the events of "Disney MiB." If you read the sneak peek I posted last February during Super Bowl Sunday, you already know that one of the characters, Grunkle Stan, has history and trust with M.I.B. (enough to show them the mysterious device he houses beneath the Mystery Shack). Speaking of that device, its functions haven't been revealed on the show yet, but I'm taking measures in giving my own interpretation on what it does in "Disney MiB" (as you can see in the last sneak peek posted).
Much like Phineas and Ferb had a strong presence in "The Disney Ghostbusters" series, Gravity Falls will in "Disney MiB" and its sequels.
#4: The story and its possible sequels take place between Men in Black 2 and Men in Black 3
As I mentioned in #1 on this list, the Men in Black films play into the world of "Disney MiB," meaning that many characters and settings from them will appear. 2004 is the year that the story takes place in, which puts it right in between MIB2 and MIB3. There's a certain situation in the second chapter that calls back to the first film, and there's a good reason for it that will be explained in latter chapters. It's just one of many situations from the films to be mentioned or referenced in "Disney MiB" and its potential sequels, even those out of MIB3 (which, from the perspective of the characters, hasn't happened yet). So let's not rule out the possible appearance of Boris the Animal (or just "Boris").
#5: Disney Men In Black and The Disney Ghostbusters are set in the same universe
It's no secret that Ghostbusters and Men in Black are two franchises that desperately need to cross over all by themselves, and not just because they are both properties of Sony Entertainment. They are both set in New York, they both deal with otherworldly threats, they both have catchy theme songs, and they're both equally funny as sci-fi/fantasy comedies.
One huge treat readers will have with "Disney MiB" is the closest thing to a crossover we will get between Ghostbusters and M.I.B. However, I'm not promising an actual appearance from the DGBs in the story, but just hidden references to events from their series in "Disney MiB." The story is after all set in 2004 (the year that the DGBs first formed and fought Gozer, Hades, and Stay Puft - as depicted in their first installment) and circumstances can and will leak into those in "Disney MiB."
There's an age-old question that will also be teased in this story: Where the heck were the M.I.B. when Gozer attacked?
#6: There will be a surprise ending with a massive twist
The ending to "Disney MiB" will be undoubtedly shocking, possibly (and mostly) to fans of the Men in Black franchise. One character will not be who you thought him or her to be as you read all the way up to the epilogue, and his or her actions will affect the sequels in a huge way. There won't be any clues to show who it might be, which will make the twist all that more surprising.
#7 - "Old and busted. New hotness."
Where would the M.I.B. be without their wheels? Both the 1987 Ford LTD Crown Victoria and its successor, the 2003 E-500 Mercedes, will make appearances in "Disney MiB." The Ford is in the care of Agents S, M, and R while the Mercedes will be cruised around by J and K. Both cars will have the same functions as in both MIB and MIB2 (Remember what happens when you press the red button?), as well as some new features exclusive to the story (one of them alludes to another popular science fiction franchise).
#8 - "Would you look right here please?"
The Neuralyzer, the niftiest gadget in the MIB universe, will be used in "Disney MiB," but less frequently than it was in the first film. Its usage has been mostly seen with normal humans, but can it ever be used on aliens? That will be explored in "Disney MiB," and it is also a focal point with one of the main characters' history with the organization.
#9 - The main baddie has connections to other MIB baddies
I've mentioned a little about Joie, the main antagonist of the story, in my last blog. I'm building her up to be the most dangerous foe the MIB has ever faced (which is saying a lot if you look at what they've gone up against in the films, games, animated series, and ride at Universal Studios). But her reputation is built from her history with those very foes the MIB has faced, such as "Edgar," Serleena, and Boris. She is "Public Enemy #1" on the MIB's list, which gives her enough of a reason for being leader of the Coalition. Most of her actions count for the "T" rating I've given "Disney MiB" on FF.net.
#10 - Surprise cameos from other Disney characters (who just might be extraterrestrials and/or MIB agents)
The MIB films have shown that practically anyone can be an alien and no one would know. So how do you keep with this idea while involving Disney, whose world has been known for talking animals (some bipedal), fairies, talking puppets, mermaids, genies, and other creatures that would call to MIB's attention? The answer is simple - you make them all liable of being aliens in the world of "Disney MiB." Virtually any characters from Disney's vault might be alien and/or MIB. Could Cruella De Vil be one of the two or both? Perhaps. And how would talking dogs like Lady and the Tramp fit in with Frank the Pug? You'll have to read "Disney MiB" to find out.
Disney Men In Black debuts on FanFiction.net with its first two chapters this Friday (June 13th)!
