Let’s get right down to it, while Channing Tatum has said the entire cast would be back, Dallas, aka Matthew McConaughey, won’t return for the “Magic Mike” sequel. We spoke to “Magic Mike XXL” director Greg Jacobs this week about his new Amazon pilot, “Red Oaks,” and the filmmaker, known for producing many of Steven Soderbergh’s films, including his current series “The Knick,” confirmed to us that McConaughey will not be back.
And while cameras have rolled on the “Magic Mike” sequel—you’ll recall Soderbergh posting slates on Twitter over Labor Day weekend—Jacobs told us that was just second unit footage and the real shoot doesn’t begin until the end of the month. Much of the cast—Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello—will reprise their roles, but it’s unknown beyond that who else is returning, and Jacobs said he couldn’t say much more.
But the filmmaker—who will have Soderbergh acting as his director of cinematography, camera operator and editor—said ‘XXL’ will be “very different.” “What am I allowed to say?” he said with a pause. “It’s road trip movie and put it this way, it’s different enough that once you see it you’ll understand why we made a sequel. No one will be accusing us of making the same movie twice.”
Jacobs says new cast members will join the fold, too, but because those deals aren’t closed he wasn’t at liberty to say who. Many have quipped that with Soderbergh shooting the film and editing it, “Magic Mike XXL” will be the Peter Andrews/Mary Ann Bernard show (Sodbergh’s sobriquets when acting as DP or editor), but Jacobs doesn’t see it that way. Acting as Soderbergh’s First AD and producer for over a decade, they’ve created a brother-like creative shorthand. It was Soderbergh, in fact, who encouraged him to direct the sequel and to go out and turn “Red Oaks” from an indie comedy into a full-fledged TV show.
It’s clear Jacobs isn’t worried about anyone taking over. In fact, he’s looking forward to his longtime colleague to be by his side. “I wish I could get a good DP,” he quipped. “I think it’s going to be really fun. I mean, I’m on set every day when we’re shooting [Steven’s projects] as it is. We’re constantly suggesting stuff to each other. It’s really intimate and collaborative and it always has been. So I think it’ll be a lot of fun. We already shot some second unit stuff which was a total blast. I think it’s going to be a good time.”
Co-written by Reid Carolin and Channing Tatum, “Magic Mike XXL” opens July 1, 2015. More from this interview about Jacobs’ “Red Oaks,” a coming of age series directed by David Gordon Green, and more, coming soon.—Interview by Rodrigo Perez.
Magic Mike is a horrible joke! I can\’t believe you people like this crappy movie about male strippers. The movie sucks, the new trailer sucks.
Not trying to toot my own horn, but I have MAJOR experience in transcribing ….things. Thought I\’d give you a reminder. #iNeedMoneyForMyGymMembership #imAlsoAGreatTranscriber
Check out the Extras Casting Calls going out for the Sequel to get an idea of what they\’re looking for in the film. over on The Southern Casting Call . com
No, she also managed to keep her mouth hanging open the whole time without ever seeming to swallow a fly. Obviously, a talent taught her in her careful upbringing as the daughter of a studio head. Seriously, the whole film dragged when McConaughey wasn\’t on screen. I don\’t think they can pull this off without him. Wonder if McConaughey is going to do the new Linklater instead, it starts shooting soon.
Anna, if you\’re referring to Cody Horn (Brooke in the film) then you\’re dead right. To paraphrase an article from Cracked, she had one job in the film – stare blankly into space. That was it.
Matthew was the best thing about Magic Mike. His character was the funniest and had the best bits. He\’ll be missed. Someone who won\’t be missed: the actress who played Channing\’s girlfriend. She can\’t act for s..t