'Wet Hot American Summer' Prequel Planned, Says David Wain

A beloved film that helped launch the careers of some of today's top comedic actors, writers and directors, "Wet Hot American Summer," released in 2001, already starred actors who were hilariously overaged for their roles as summer camp counselors and campers, circa 1981.

Now, ten years later, things may get even more ridiculous.

David Wain co-wrote (with Michael Showalter) and directed the film, which starred Michael Ian Black, Paul Rudd, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Christopher Meloni and Molly Shannon, among others. Wain recently said that they're in the process of making a prequel to the film -- with the same actors.

"Yes, we have been talking about a sequel, prequel, something or other," he told Jeff Goldsmith of the Q&A Podcast (via Indiewire). "The prequel would be the same summer so they would be 20 years old for the part yeah, but not younger. So it would be 40 year olds playing 16 year olds. And yeah, we’re in the early stages of thinking about that."

It would be an interesting experiment, especially because some of the film's smaller players have since become big stars, including Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper and Elizabeth Banks. Would the film focus more on them? Bring in new characters? Hard to say at this point.

But one thing's for sure: it'll be one of the most anticipated cult films in recent memory.

WATCH:

Comments

[robjh1]

11:24 AM on 06/24/2011

Chris Meloni rocks! He will be missed on Law and Order SVU.

[finkles2000]

01:18 AM on 06/23/2011

I'm totally going to write about this in my gournal.

[canadagirl76]

01:24 PM on 06/26/2011

good one

[Dani Slay]

12:55 AM on 06/23/2011

David Wain is a genius! You guys should check out his show Wainy Days on My Damn Channel. It's so funny.

[Thomas Frizzensnitchel]

08:29 PM on 06/22/2011

Never heard of Wet hot American summer.And what was it was about? One part gets me, how can 40 year olds play the part of a 16 year old. I know younger people with the magic of hollywood magical makeup can play an older person but how so for the reversal? Oh well, maybe it will be a good movie anyway, just have to see I guess as I do like cheap campy comedies.

[Moosington]

11:16 AM on 06/23/2011

If you watch the movie, you'll understand that it can probably work with the style of comedy being used. Wacky stuff.

[Estevan Benson]

08:10 PM on 06/22/2011

If you liked The State, you'll like Wet Hot American Summer.

[SRoquelaure]

05:33 PM on 06/22/2011

I'm going to put this in my trapper keeper full of appointments.

[The-JuRK]

03:58 PM on 06/22/2011

Imagine if MEATBALLS didn't have Bill Murray in it...and you'd have WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER.

It's that bad.

[Moosington]

11:19 AM on 06/23/2011

False. The style of comedy may not be for you, but that's okay.

[cungar]

06:51 PM on 06/23/2011

Yeah he graduated from kindergarten.

[The-JuRK]

11:22 PM on 06/26/2011

It's a great "style of comedy": nothing funny happens. Hilarious and innovative. Knock yourselves out.

[stepper]

02:27 PM on 06/22/2011

Movies that could be descirbed as beloved films that helped launch the careers for many of its stars, writers and directors.
- Diner
- Fast Times At Ridgemont High
- Animal House
- Stand By Me
- 10 Things I Hate About You
- Wet Hot American Summer????

[LWilkinson315]

12:22 PM on 06/22/2011

I do NOT remember the film at all. 2001? Never heard of it- and I am one usually drawn to tacky comedies

[The-JuRK]

03:56 PM on 06/22/2011

That's because this movie was beyond horrible.

[Moosington]

11:20 AM on 06/23/2011

Do yourself a favor and watch it and formulate your own opinion. It's very possible you'll think it's stupid as it's definitely a niche comedy. If you enjoyed The State on MTV, there's a good chance you'll at least get a kick out of Wet Hot American Summer.

[MtnGeek]

11:07 AM on 06/22/2011

And Hollywood sinks a little lower ... in their steady decline to cater only to teenage and ignorant audiences.

[Disco Stewpid]

11:58 AM on 06/22/2011

Now if they did a remake of the Hangover, that would set them back on track.

[amanandamouse]

02:45 PM on 06/22/2011

They did. It's called The Hangover II.

[GraphicMatt]

03:39 PM on 06/22/2011

Did you actually see this movie? I didn't find it to have "catered" to either. If it had, it certainly would have been far more popular and had not been considered a cult movie.

[salwall]

10:39 AM on 06/22/2011

You taste like hamburgers. I don't like you any more.

[HeadOverSeales]

09:33 AM on 06/22/2011

Jeez, why's everybody hatin' on WHAS?? It IS a cult classic and if you didn't like the first one, no one's going to force you to see the second. People seem to either love or hate the kind of stuff Wain and Showalter put out, and those that hate it, well, that's just unfortunate for you :)

I, for one, am super excited. I also think it's hilarious that it would take place BEFORE the first film, even though at the end of it they talk about reuniting in 20 years.

[cungar]

10:57 AM on 06/22/2011

Why's everybody hatin' on WHAS?

Did you make it past 4th grade?

[GraphicMatt]

03:41 PM on 06/22/2011

WHAS = White Hot American Summer......name of movie the article is about. See, that's what I mean. HeadOverSeales asks a question and defends the movie in a rational manner and you respond by saying she's uneducated.

[johnrf]

09:23 AM on 06/22/2011

Am I the only one who has never heard of this "beloved film"?

[The-JuRK]

03:58 PM on 06/22/2011

I wish I had never heard of it. But I've actually seen it. It's beyond lame.

[DaniFoxy]

08:03 AM on 06/22/2011

Uh, OK. Sure.

[lightist]

03:39 AM on 06/22/2011

Movies like this are a fairly significant reason that most American's don't give a ratzzazz about anything of relevance. Stop entertainment specifically designed to destroy conscience, and replace it with entertainment that's truly funny but not at others expense, truly intelligent, and sensitive to realities on the ground.

Oh, sure, I know you guys got to get return on your investments. Sure, I know you guys got power people over your heads telling you what's allowed. But, you're the guys directly contributing to the downfall of all that really matters. Intelligence, kindness, fairness, common sense, honesty to the bone. btw - not one dark-skinned person in that movie, kinda gives away the origin of funding, in my humble opinion.

"Say It Like It Really Is" .. PE .. Just can't get enough use from this song, what with it being the funkiest tune of 2011. If you got funkier, shine it:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=73F3S5uNe9s