Anchorman 2? Not Likely, Says Will Ferrell
UPDATE: The quotes in the story below have apparently been around for a while, so if you're looking for the latest Anchorman 2 denial, this isn't it. I'm leaving the story since obviously they're new to some of us, but don't take this as the final word on the film. Original article follows.
You more or less had to figure this is the way things were going to end up, but just in case you were really holding out hope for another Anchorman movie, probably best to let it go. While a sequel to Adam McKay and Will Ferrell's anarchic newsroom farce has seemed like a vague possibility, Ferrell is now saying that it isn't likely to happen, because getting everyone together in the same room is much more difficult than it used to be.
Speaking to Zoo magazine, by way of Contact Music via Vulture Ferrell says "I thought we were doing it. I was told it was happening and now I've heard it's going to be too hard to get everyone together."
He follows that with what should be read as standard "never say never" language: "Hopefully the director Adam McKay will be able to talk to all the guys individually and see if we can figure it out."
This is what happens when a bunch of talented but slightly underexposed guys are given a platform like Anchorman: they're all in demand. Once upon a time, sure, getting Steve Carell and Paul Rudd wasn't a big deal. Now? Yeah, good luck. They've all got serious careers and packed calendars.
There's also the question of making a sequel stand up to the odd standard of the original. "We don't think we can make it as good. It would be really fun to do, so we might just try to make the craziest sequel you've ever seen. It could be terrible, but if they're going to pay us to do it, then why not, right?"
Do you want to see Anchorman 2 made as a paycheck movie? No, probably not. And that's the point where Ferrell was likely not being serious; seems like they know it is better to leave it well enough alone.