Anchorman 2 and Zoolander 2 May Be Dead

After a period where they both looked likely to happen, sequels for two films that built cult followings on DVD now appear to have their fates in serious question. Both Anchorman 2 and Zoolander 2 are facing trouble due to budgetary concerns.

Late last week Anchorman director Adam McKay tweeted an update on the state of the sequel that he and Will Ferrell had been hoping to achieve. Paramount passed on it despite attempts to reduce the budget for the film. Paramount owns the rights to Anchorman so there would be no option of offering it to another studio. Unless Paramount were to change their mind, or McKay and Ferrell find a way to reduce the budget further, prospects look grim.

Zoolander 2 was actually reported to be getting off the ground in early March. Ben Stiller was on board and Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder) was set to write and direct. However a tweet from Stiller insinuates that Zoolander 2 is facing similar trouble getting the green light from Paramount.

Hopefully at least one of these two find themselves getting made. Zoolander was hilarious, it just released at a difficult time (soon after 9/11) and then built a fan base on DVD. Anchorman was one of those movies that almost had to grow on people over time. I think most enjoyed it more with multiple viewings than on the first time through. Quotes from these two are still relevant in pop culture and there would be excitement at the prospect of their sequels coming to fruition.