When Hot Tub Time Machine debuted a couple of years ago it had a lot more buzz than it actually lived up to. The concept was solid, with a group of friends traveling back in time to cause some hijinks, and the cast of John Cusack, Rob Corddry, Clark Duke, and Craig Robinson promised a lot of laughs. But laughs were apparently out of fashion or something because the film wasn't that funny and only made about $60M, which admittedly was more than it cost although not by that much. Basically, a sequel was hardly being clamored for, and yet Hot Tub Time Machine 2 is here, and the first red band trailer has debuted at Comic-Con of all places.
Yep, it was here during the Paramount Pictures panel the trailer made its big premiere, and unfortunately nobody asked why Cusack decided he wanted no part of the film. John Cusack, choosey? Since when? Did you see The Bag Man? Anyway, the rest of the cast is intact, including Chevy Chase, with new additions Adam Scott and Gillian Jacobs. Returned from the past, the gang have used their knowledge of the future for personal gain, only to have it come back and bite Lou (Corddry) in the rear end. In a desperate bid to save his life, they attempt to go back in time but only succeed in going further into the future and must fix things if there is any hope of return. While Terminator gets referenced the film actually looks more like Bill & Ted than anything else, which is a very good thing. Whether it turns out to be half as funny we'll have to wait and find out but so far this is a promising start. Oh, and it's red band for a reason so don't watch at work.
Steve Pink returns to direct Hot Tub Time Machine 2 which opens on Christmas Day.
