Night At The Museum 2 Has A New Guest Christopher will play Ivan The Terrible Source: Hollywood Reporter
As if aware that Empire – and we’re guessing that we’re not alone – is failing to muster much enthusiasm for Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian (as it’s now been officially renamed), director Shawn Levy is going out of his way to add top-tier comic talent to his big-budget sequel, perhaps in an attempt to pique our interest.
Already, in addition to the returning Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Ricky Gervais, Steve Coogan and Robin Williams, Levy has added the likes of Hank Azaria and The Office: An American Workplace’s Ed Helms. And today he bagged himself two more heavyweights.
First up, Christopher Guest – the legendary creative force behind This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, and A Mighty Wind – has signed on to play Ivan The Terrible in the movie which, like the first movie, will see Stiller’s hapless security guard try to survive when museum exhibits and statues – including many great historical figures – come alive.
This is something of a coup, as Guest very rarely appears in films that he isn’t responsible for, creatively speaking. Although he is becoming more prolific of late – he showed up in 2006’s Mrs. Henderson Presents, and is also set to appear in The Other Side Of Truth, the comedy that will mark Ricky Gervais’ directorial debut. Indeed, we’d wager that Gervais’ presence in Night 2 played a major part in convincing Guest to sign on.
And secondly, the great Bill Hader – of Saturday Night Live, Hot Rod and Superbad fame – will appear as General Custer. Hader’s forging something of a reputation for himself as a comedy cameo specialist – he’ll show up briefly in Harold Ramis’ Year One, The Pineapple Express and Tropic Thunder – and we look forward to his turn here.
Other casting confirmed today include Jon Bernthal as Al Capone and Alain Chabat as Napoleon, while the film’s writers, Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon (who starred in Reno! 911) will play The Wright Brothers. That’s a lot to cram in, so we’re curious to see how it’ll turn out. The first movie didn’t fully utilise its astonishing array of comedic talent; fingers crossed that Levy can marshal his troops this time around.
The film is currently shooting in Vancouver, with a released scheduled for next year.
The original was an OK kids film. Better than the Stuart Little films or whatever (I have kids!) Plus it gave us the unusual sight of Steeve Coogan teaming up with Owen Wilson, which was a plus in my book. Ricky Gervais is still awful though. ... Read More
I like Ben Stiller, I really do but for each good film he makes, Zoolander, Something about Mary, Dodgeball, Meet the parents etc he makes a bad un in return, Starsky and Hutch, Along came Polly, The heartbreak kid all spring to mind. Night at the museum was ok but should have been better. If they up the ante this time it'd be good. He should stick to writing and directing as his own stuff is all excellent, Zoolander is genius, Tropic Thunder looks amazing and The Cabl... Read More
....is comedy gold. But it's asking a bit much to sit through a full Night at the Museum film for a few minutes of greatness. And Alain Chabat should know better. ... Read More
You forgot to mention Van Dyke returns too
Chim Chim-iney Chim Chim-iney, chim chim cheree
It'd be even better with his son Barry
All: It'd be even better with his son Bar-ree
Gor Blimey Mary Poppins, Apples and Pears, RocknRolla
... Read More
