Nordling here.
The news that ANCHORMAN 2 was happening, after so many false starts, made me jump on Twitter and riff on dialogue lines for half an hour. "ANCHORMAN 2 is so awesome that The Human Torch finally got his bank loan!" The first film is one of my favorite comedies, and I rewatch it probably more often than is healthy.
Hollywood Reporter has an interview with director Adam McKay about the topsy-turvy nature of getting the sequel green-lit, and he said in the Q&A: "We have a basic idea [of the storyline]. I’ll tell you we’re staying roughly period, and I would just say it’s the next stage in the development of American media and news. The fun of these characters is they confront change very poorly. So they’ve got some more change coming their way. I can say that pretty safely."
It's unclear whether they're still going with the musical idea, but I have the feeling to get the budget that they wanted (or at least one they can work with) some sacrifices had to be made. McKay said that after writing the script that he wants to begin shooting in February. I'm just happy that Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, and David Koechner are returning.
And on Christina Applegate returning as Veronica "Do me on it!" Corningstone - "We haven’t written it yet, but we have an idea for her that we think is pretty cool. So tentatively right now she’s in. But obviously we kind of have to let it be what it’s gonna be, we don’t want to handcuff ourselves, but we love Applegate, so any chance to work with her is always fun."
I hope she returns - we need someone who can take the testosterone steam out of these guys - and I especially hope that they figure out some way to trump the news anchor gang fight. Perhaps Luke Wilson with robotic flamethrowers/missile launchers instead of arms? Hey, a man can dream.
