Zoolander 2 has been in the works for a long time and it looks like things haven’t picked up yet. Ben Stiller was recently doing the press rounds for Submarine, a film which he produced, and of course, he was asked about Zoolander 2. The latest update is the following; Justin Theroux has written a script which was finished and submitted earlier this year but the studio hasn’t made a move yet.
Neither Stiller nor Theroux have gotten a call from Paramount. Stiller is ready and eager to do it though, they just need to ok from Paramount. “It’s kind of coming along slowly, we have a script that we like and we’re just waiting for the studio to figure it out. But I think we all want to do it. We’re raring to go, not quite sure where the studio’s at. Hopefully it’ll come together,” Stiller said.
Talking about the script, Stiller said earlier this year that it would be set in Europe and would take place ten years later.
”….It’s ten years later and most of it is set in Europe. I don’t want to give away too much, but it’s basically Derek and Hansel ten years later – though the last movie ended on a happy note a lot of things have happened in the meantime. Their lives have changed and they’re not really relevant anymore. It’s a new world for them. Will Ferrell is written into the script and he’s expressed interest in doing it. I think Mugatu is an integral part of the Zoolander story, so yes, he features in a big way,” Stiller said.
Many think that it’s going to come down to the price tag, as The Playlist is reporting that Paramount isn’t too eager to spend more than $40 million on a sequel. That’s why Anchorman 2 was shot down, it would have been too expensive with its $70 million price tag. So it looks like it’s really up to the execs at Paramount now.
The problem also is that it’s been a long time since the first one, and with such a long gap between the films, that could hurt box office business. Even with its cult audience, making money could be challenging. As of now, it looks like the film will likely stay in limbo for a bit longer.