Adam McKay opened up to The Playlist not too long ago to discuss his upcoming project, a followup to something called Anchorman, which I guess he directed or something. You might have forgotten that McKay and Will Ferrell had once planned on doing Anchorman 2 as a Broadway musical. Interestingly enough, McKay states that elements of that plan will likely still bleed into the film:
“There will be some music in ‘Anchorman 2’ though for sure, we have some songs already written. We were going to do ‘Anchorman 2’ as a Broadway musical first, for like six months and then go shoot the movie. That was our initial idea… Whole song sequences, absolutely.”
It doesn’t sound like the director is going the full-on musical route, though I like the idea of a few showtunes mixed in with my Burgundy. I almost wish they’d revisit the original, add a few numbers and put Ferrell and cast on stage for a limited run. McKay also elaborates on the sequel’s exploration of new media:
“I mean what is this 24 hours news, and this wall of white noise information, has it really been good for our country? The great thing when you find a point of view like that is that it doesn’t have to be preachy or didactic, it’s also funny. It’s just funny that Americans have to contend with 2000 channels, and 60 different specific news sources, and the confusion that it creates, and the junk that we get to see is hilarious. That’s what we’re always kinda looking for, what’s the point of view that’s got life to it and plays.”
McKay goes on to talk about how Anchorman 2 puts a temporary kibosh on Step Brothers 2 which, admittedly, is the sequel I’d be more interested in seeing. But the musical bug looks to be extending beyond Anchorman, as McKay mentions reuniting Ferrell and John C. Reilly to record a rap album as their characters.
It’s a shame we’re not getting an incarnation of Anchorman or its sequel on Broadway. I feel like we’re being robbed of a Will Ferrell / Tony Award acceptance speech.
Source: The Playlist via Slashfilm