We basically already knew that "Magic Mike 2" was happening, but now we have some vital missing details: a title and a director. IndieWire's The Playlist reports the movie will go by the name of "Magic Mike XXL," because no good male-stripper sequel can be called something stodgy like "Magic Mike 2."
Greg Jacobs will helm the follow-up. Jacobs is the go-to assistant director for Steven Soderbergh, who directed the original "Magic Mike," which means Jacobs has worked on "Erin Brockovich," the "Ocean's" trilogy and "Contagion." Soderbergh will remain an executive producer of the sequel.
Channing Tatum revealed way back in July 2012 that a "Magic Mike" sequel was in the works. He's co-writing the script with Reid Carolin, who penned the original. Tatum flirted at one point with taking over the director's chair as well.
Shortly before the title and director were announced on Friday, Joe Manganiello told Collider that the "Magic Mike" follow-up will shoot this fall. "I think they’re going to announce it soon," he said. "It was the most fun I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to get back in and mix it up with those guys.”
There's still no "official" announcement from Warner Bros., which distributed the 2012 dramedy, but Manganiello said that should arrive soon.
"Magic Mike" was a runaway hit with critics and moviegoers. It earned positive reviews, and Matthew McConaughey's performance was touted as an Oscar contender. It racked up an impressive $167 million at the global box office.