Merrick here...
Since the May 2011 release of HANGOVER PART 2, participants in that film have been throwing around indicators that a third installment in the franchise was possible-to-probable.
This wasn't altogether surprising - PART 2 made $580-something million globally off of an $80 million (ish) budget. This haul was particularly interesting given that the sequel made more than its 2009 progenitor (which brought in 'round $467 million globally) - despite criticism that it mimicked the first go round a bit too closely. Which means the masses clearly wanted more of these characters, and spoke loudly with their pocketbooks.
But are audiences horny for more, still? The Powers That Be believe this to be the case, and are now negotiating with HANGOVER's leads to appear in the next installment .
Sources close to the negotiations say Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms are asking for $15 million each (against backend) to reprise their roles, and they now are likely to get it.
[EDIT]
Warners hopes the next film, a Los Angeles-based story that will deviate from the forgotten-debauchery formula of the first movies, can shoot this summer and be ready for a Memorial Day 2013 release.
...says THIS piece at THR.
PART 3 has previously been characterized as relying on a different conceit and structure than the first two films in the cycle, so it'll be interesting to see how fans/viewers react to such changes.
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