Was there anyone out there who was predicting Magic Mike would be the surprise hit it turned out to be? A film about a bunch of half nude male strippers that somehow manages to appeal to more than just ladies, and tell a solid, complete story all at the same time? But it's success speaks to the skill of director Steven Soderbergh, and seemingly endless appeal of star Channing Tatum. The film made north of $100M on a puny $7M, and so of course we started to hear talk of a sequel.
Back in July Tatum said that he and his producing/writing partner Reid Carolin were already working on the concept with hopes of making it even bigger. With Soderbergh "retiring"(I'll believe it when I see it) and unlikely to return, Tatum spoke to German site Filmstarts and said that he could co-direct it with Carolin. He also mentioned the possibility of Gregory Jacobs, Soderbergh's longtime assistant-director, taking on the job. Here's the quote, but you'll have to excuse the crappy Google translation that makes Tatum sound like Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer....
Tatum: "We really want to, but Steven Soderbergh really want to retire. We will undoubtedly make the Broadway version first [...]. Gregory Jacobs [assistant director Soderbergh] can make the film, or well we can achieve, Reid Carolin and me., but we do not know. "
So it sounds like Tatum's chief priority in regards to Magic Mike is the stage version, so a true sequel may be a ways off. He does give a hint of what the story could entail, and again, excuse the translation....
Tatum: "We have a history, and it's really funny and ridiculous. It is a kind of road movie, in which a strip of strip-teasers come together. [...] I do not know if it will happen or not. "
Magic Mike doesn't really scream "sequel" to me, and if it turns out to be a road trip movie I'm even less enthusiastic for it. Taking these characters out of their environment, which was so much a part of what made the story work, just sounds like a bad idea. We'll see what happens, but I highly suggest that in a couple of weeks you check out Channing Tatum in the excellent ensemble comedy, 10 Years, opening on September 21st. In a year that has already been amazing for Tatum, it's one of his best.[via ThePlaylist]
