How exactly did the dinosaurs go extinct? Was it the scientifically supported theory of a prehistoric bolide smashing into Earth and causing a gradual extinction? Or was it aliens? If you are excited by the prospect of the latter, then Barry Sonnenfeld and Grant Morrison’s new collaborative project, Dominion: Dinosaurs Versus Aliens, is for you! But just how are those aliens and dinosaurs going to communicate with the audience, you ask. Well, Sonnenfeld has graciously provided an answer to that burning question in a recent interview with io9.  His answers are almost weirder than you can imagine.  Hit the jump to see what he says.

As we look towards the next few months, we’ve got plenty of sequels and popcorn fare ahead of us. One of the biggest properties arriving this summer is the third film in the Men in Black franchise. Barry Sonnenfeld returns as director and the story finds Will Smith’s Agent J travelling back in time to save Tommy Lee Jones’ Agent K. In addition to Bill Hader as Andy Warhol, we get Josh Brolin playing a younger version of Jones’ character for much of the film. Judging by the trailer, he’s done a remarkable job.  Men in Black 3 also stars Jemaine Clement, Alice Eve, Emma Thompson, and Johnny Knoxville. In addition, make-up effects artist Rick Baker returns to the franchise and you can see some of his creature work here.

The other night I landed an exclusive interview with Barry Sonnenfeld.  While most interviews take place during the day at a hotel, we spoke by phone close to midnight.  With his busy post-production schedule, it was the one time he could fit in the interview.  During our wide ranging conversation we talked about the way he shot the 3D, how the project came together, whether he prefers film or digital and why, what his cameo in the film entails (he plays a man who jumped off a building during the stock market crash of 1929), Easter eggs, if he misses being a cinematographer, why he doesn’t shoot his own movies, what parts of the film changed on set, casting Josh Brolin, IMAX, deleted scenes, the running time (it’s currently 97 minutes without titles), his favorite movie, director and actor, and so much more.  In addition, he gave me updates on his future projects like Dominion: Dinosaurs Versus Aliens and The How-To Guide for Saving the Planet.  Hit the jump for a few new images of Sonnenfeld on set and the interview.

Director Barry Sonnenfeld and acclaimed comics writer Grant Morrison (The Invisibles) are teaming up for Dominion: Dinosaurs Versus Aliens.  Sonnenfeld will direct and Morrison will write the graphic novel and the screenplay.  The story takes place on a secret pre-historic Earth where aliens invade and super-intelligent dinosaurs are the planet’s only hope.  If the aliens have a device that chucks giant meteors at the planet, then spoiler alert: they won.  Also, I’m not sure how highly-intelligent dinosaurs behave.  Do they smoke pipes and read The Economist?

While the premise does seem like it came about because someone saw a kid playing with his dinosaur and aliens toys, I find it somewhat intriguing since I have no idea how they’ll introduce dialogue into the movie.  Will everything be subtitled?  If the dinosaurs talk, how does that not look silly?  Also, can aliens please get a break?  We mutilated them earlier this year in Battle: Los Angeles, and they’re going to be fighting against cowboys this summer.  Are we sending these movies into space as a warning?  In any event, the graphic novel will be published later this year.  Sonnenfeld is currently at work on another alien flick, Men in Black III.