"Zoolander 2" is getting ready to kick off production, and it has been confirmed that the cast and crew are jetting off to Rome, Italy this spring to begin filming, Coming Soon reported.
The first film "Zoolander" came out in 2001 and grossed only $60 million worldwide. It wasn't quite a theatrical hit, but the film made up for it by becoming a hit on DVDs, leading to star Ben Stiller and Paramount Pictures via producer Stuart Cornfeld to discuss the possibility of a sequel. Years have passed and now a second film is finally a go in The Eternal City.
The confirmation came from the Mayor of Rome himself, Ignazio Marino, who shared that he met with Stiller and co-writer and director Justin Theroux to discuss the film. He then officially announced that the sequel film will begin shooting in the city for 12 weeks in this spring at the famous Cinecitta Studios.
Marino stated, "Rome returns to the center of the international destinations of great cinema."
Stiller will be reprising his role as male supermodel Derek Zoolander a.k.a. Blue Steel, while his wife Christine Taylor is expected to come back as Matilda Jeffries. Penelope Cruz is also said to be making an appearance, while supermodel Cara Delevingne and John Hill were rumored months before to have also been tapped for roles.
Other American and Italian actors are also slated to make appearances, according to Screen Rant.
Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell, who portrayed Hansel McDonald and Jacobim Mugatu, respectively, are also expected to reprise their roles, according to FanSided.
Ferrell himself already stated last year that he was taking part in the sequel. He shared, "We are actually supposed to do a read through of a sequel script soon, and Mugatu is part of it."
He talked about it in September though, and news has been scarce since, though it was likely because Stiller was busy with filming last year's "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb."
As for the storyline, there has been limited news on the direction of the sequel film, and the most fans and interested moviegoers have to go on is that it has something to do with Zoolander's adventures in Rome.
Some reports claimed that it was possible that Zoolander will be headed to international fashion weeks, possibly Italian Fashion Week, according to The Independent.
No release date has been set for the film as of yet, but as production moves forward on "Zoolander 2," it's likely more information will be available soon.