ANCHORMAN 2 Killed By Paramount

Remember how we told you earlier this week that it was looking really good that a sequel to Will Farrell’s 2004 comedy Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy could be going in to production early next year?

Forget we said anything.

Anchorman director Adam McKay tweeted the bad news earlier today that studio Paramount has decided not to pursue a follow up to the Will Farrel comedy.

So bummed. Paramount basically passed on Anchorman 2. Even after we cut our budget down. We tried.

Unfortunately, with Paramount passing the film is dead as McKay clarified in a subsequent tweet a few hours later-

To all who asked: no we can’t do Anchorman 2 at another studio. Paramount owns it.

I have to admit that this is a turn of events that has caught me by surprise. Studios have been becoming more risk averse in the last several years, only bankrolling projects that seem like sure shots. And with all the box office drawing power of the principals involved, their pledge to return for a second film for a lower paycheck than they usually get and the built in audience from the first film, this certainly fits the definition of a no-brainer to me. Way to not stay classy Paramount.