Magic Mike XXL, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2012 surprise hit based on Channing Tatum's life, has begun production Greg Silverman, President of Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President of Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures announced today.
The film, which is set three years after Mike decides to bow out of the stripper lifestyle, returns stars Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias as the remaining members of the Kings of Tampa look to bow out as well, but on their own terms. With a final show set in Myrtle Beach, the guys are pulling out all the stops for one hell of a swan song.
Joining the cast for this dance are Elizabeth Banks, Donald Glover, Amber Heard, Andie MacDowell, Jada Pinkett Smith and Michael Strahan. Original director Steven Soderbergh has moved into a purely producing role, making room for Emmy Award winner Gregory Jacobs to take a seat behind the camera.
Noticeably absent from the cast is recent Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey. The story line (as well as his immense popularity) have him on the outside looking in. Not to worry thouguh ladies, there will be plenty of abs, quads and shoulder muscles to go around.
While the film was often considered a joke amongst industry insiders, Magic Mike used its impresive cast of Hollywood's leading men (and their abs) to get women into the theater. They, in turn, came by the bus load, empty their purses and pumping over $113 million into the domestic box-office. That's more than The Bourne Legacy, Battleship, Rock of Ages and Wrath of the Titans. With a minimal $7 million budget, its no wonder Warner Bros. has opted to give the women (and select men) a second helping!
