Back in 2010, writer-director-actor Justin Theroux was asked to write and direct a sequel to 2001’s cult comedy Zoolander, which was directed by and starred Ben Stiller, alongside the likes of Owen Wilson (Marley & Me), Christina Taylor (Dodgeball), Will Ferrell (Step Brothers) and Theroux himself in a small role (he was the “Relax” DJ). Since then, nothing has really moved on the sequel, until now.
Many had predicted that Paramount, renowned for their apprehension over some of their properties, were looking to see how their other big cult property, Anchorman, faired when it green lit the sequel. And while Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues was a success, it wasn’t the runaway box-office juggernaut that they had hoped.
In an interview with Vulture however, Theroux has said that the sequel may be closer to reality than we think. The actor said: “Yeah, we’ve got a script for the sequel, and we’ve just been in talks again…We’re trying to sharpen it and hone it and, actually, I don’t want to jinx anything, but it looks like it actually might be starting to get up and running.”
Theroux is currently gaining high praise for his work on the US show The Leftovers, also said that because of the show, he will unlikely direct the sequel should it happen. “I don’t think I’m going to do it anymore. It really depends on whether the show gets picked up. If it gets picked up, then I don’t think I’ll have the time to do it. So it’ll probably get handed to Ben, which would be awesome.”
Season one of The Leftovers is set to debut on Sky Atlantic in the UK this September.
Originally published August 12, 2014. Updated April 15, 2018.
