The sequel to the hit sci-fi comedy movie, which sees Smith and Jones back in their original roles, received its first airing in Westwood, Los Angeles on Wednesday night.

The duo were joined by co-star Lara Flynn Boyle as well as Hollywood actors Christian Slater and Matthew Perry.

Stars arrived to a crowd of screaming fans and they walked up a black carpet instead of the traditional red into the cinema.

Lara Flynn Boyle plays the film's force of evil

Movie-goers have been waiting since 1997 for this second episode in the adventures of the alien-busting futuristic cops.

It opens officially across the US next week and in the UK on 2 August.

It sees Kay, played by Jones, and Smith's character Jay reunite to provide the best, last line of defence against sinister alien seductress Serleena, played by Lara Flynn.

At the end of the first movie, Kay had his memory erased and retired to a quiet life as a postman.

Jay must now restore his memory so he can team up with his former partner, whose brain contains the necessary information to thwart the enemy and save the universe.

Comics

The alien-busting duo were a big hit the first time around

Smith said he believed the success of the first Men In Black was down to people's belief in aliens.

Jones added he would be prepared to appear in a third Men In Black movie if audiences reacted well to the sequel, which is also directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.

The Men In Black movies are - like Superman, X-Men and Spider-Man - another example of hit movies that originated from a comic book series.