We always figured it was one of those projects that gets talked about in interviews, and then never materializes, but Deadline has revealed that a sequel to the Ben Stiller comedy “Zoolander” looks set to move forward, nearly ten years after the release of the original.
Stiller wrote and directed the original, but this time he’s got company, with “Tropic Thunder” and “Iron Man 2” scribe Justin Theroux joining him on the script. The latter will make the film his second directorial effort, after the virtually unseen Billy Crudup starrer “Dedication” with Mandy Moore (which actually wasn’t that bad). Plans are afoot for Owen Wilson to hopefully reprise his role from the original, although that’s not set yet, while negotiations are underway for Jonah Hill to play the villain. Theroux will be in Paris next week for Fashion Week, to “immerse himself in what is current in fashion,” because, obviously, the aspect of the original that everyone loved was its accurate portrayal of the fashion world…
“Zoolander” was famously one of the first movies to be released after 9/11 (Oliver Stone even shows a poster for the film during “World Trade Center”), and underperformed as a result. But over the past decade it’s become a cult classic through DVD and endless showings on cable, so the project makes financial sense for Paramount — we can see it doing an “Austin Powers,” and matching the original’s total take in its first weekend. But is anyone really clamoring for this? The first film is amusing in fits and starts, but has become somewhat overrated over time; we’d rather see an “Anchorman” sequel, frankly, but with Theroux involved, this could be something interesting.
If Owen Wilson is on board, I will see this no doubt. Some of his stuff in the original was pure lowbrow gold.
Zoolander 2 also requires a Will Ferrell cameo as Mugatu.
"Some of his stuff in the original was pure lowbrow gold."
I agree. I enjoyed that movie far more than I ever thought I would.
So much gold in the original:
"MerMAN!"
"Eugoogly"
"Whoa, whoa, easy! How 'bout a 'Good afternoon, Derek and Hansel. Thanks for the freak fest last night.'"
"Oh, I'm sorry….did my pin get in the way of your ass?"
I would totally welcome a sequel. But Hansel is a must.
Theroux acted in the first one. He plays the evil DJ that Hansel breakdance fights in the climax.
I can't believe I just typed that sentence. I can't believe I possess that piece of knowledge.
I need to go to bed.
The last sentence where you claim a film is "overrated" (a term which Google says there are 6,490 instances of use on your blog) but then mention Anchorman is absolutely hilarious.
And doesn't make sense. Wouldn't an Anchorman sequel be superfluous when ADD-addled young ones (the only people who could honestly find the original feature-length SNL sketch passable) are getting their misplaced chuckles from pictures of cats on the internet with text over them?
Really, you kids need to watch Albert Brooks in Broadcast News to see newscaster comedy done right. Oh, how I would love an Aaron Altman spin-off film.
why not watch "Wake Up Ron Burgundy"?
At condescending anon. It just "doesn't make sense." Pretty subjective argumentation there.
And yes, we've seen Broadcast News. Or at least I have and I'm old enough to have seen it at the time (or at least on VHS afterwards).
Because the entire purpose of Anchorman was for McKay and Ferrell to make the definitive screen version of a local TV newscaster.
Jonah Hill is the least threatening-looking man I've ever seen. Boorish and loud, yes, but a convincing villain? Doubt it.
Why can't the universe have Anchorman 2 and another middlebrow white dude Albert Brooks movie? What's the problem there? Anchorman is a concept that allows for many different contexts, allowing for flexible sequel ideas. Broadcast News exists, and there's no room for going anywhere else, and Albert Brooks hasn't made a good movie since "Defending Your Life".
Zoolander, I dunno where they're gonna go with it. Surely it can't be better than the totem of comedic genius that was "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World."
No Mugatu = fuck this movie. I want more soothing trolley rides.
This is some of the best news I have ever heard. Zoolander is the best film of the last ten years, and the sequel could only be the best film of the next ten years.
Thanks for reading Terrence. Hope Tree of Life actually makes Cannes.