Ben Stiller’s Instagram has been a hive of activity in recent days, with the actor rolling out new details for the burgeoning cast of upcoming sequel Zoolander 2. Last week, Stiller confirmed that Penelope Cruz would join production after early reports linking the Spanish starlet with a part surfaced late last year. In keeping with the terrific, on-the-nose reveal of the film’s release date, which saw Stiller alongside Owen Wilson take Paris’ Valentino fashion show by storm, Derek Zoolander has confirmed that Billy Zane will return for the follow-up alongside newcomer Fred Armisen.
Here’s those two announcements in question via Stiller’s Instagram page:
Excited @sordociego (Fred Armisen!!) is joining the #zoolander2 cast!
A video posted by Ben Stiller (@benstiller) on
Zane had a minor role in the original Zoolander back in 2001, appearing as a friend to the titular model who tries to convince him to stand down from the potential walk-off with arch nemesis Hansel. Hopefully this time around Stiller’s protagonist will take heed of Zane’s warnings; he is a cool dude, after all. As for Fred Armisen, fans may recognize him from his stint on Saturday Night Live, though it’s unclear what role the newcomer will step into in the sequel.
Now with a release date penciled in for February 2016, Zoolander 2 is officially getting into gear. It’s been a long time coming, too, considering that 14 years have lapsed between the release of the original and now. Whether the studio was hedging its bets before reintroducing Derek and Hansel is unclear, though going off of Stiller and Wilson’s cameo at the aforementioned catwalk, the comedic pair haven’t lost those brilliantly self-obsessed, outlandish mannerisms.
After countless last minute touch-ups and practising the Blue Steel, Zoolander 2 stepped in front of the cameras two weeks ago when it began filming in Cinecitta. It’s slated to waltz into theaters on February 12, 2016.