Moviegoers expect things to be dialed up at least a notch for the upcoming stripper sequel Magic Mike XXL, and actor/co-writer/producer Channing Tatum knows it. While the actor has mostly been chatting about Oscar hype, for his dramatic turn in Foxcatcher, however, Tatum got to slip in a few words about the new movie, including the fact that they tried to make it even more titillating than the first, especially with one co-star.
Talking to Time about the film, he referred to their next adventure, a road trip film, as a "stripper odyssey." While it will be more sexually intense than the first, which was apparently too extreme for some extras to handle, this doesn't mean that they are going to be stretching too far from their filmmaking origins.
"It sucks that we do these [Magic Mike] movies for such efficient means and time," Tatum said. "The first movie took 22 or 23 days, and this movie took 29 days. Those guys are so much fun -- they're the whole reason why I wanted to make a second one. They were a discovery for me. They just filled this world out -- that I think you feel in [Magic Mike], but you don't get to be with them and hang out in the movie like you want to."
"I was like, 'If we get to make a second one, that's what it will be. It will just be a guy's story, but made for women,'" he continued, before being reminded that the gay male community were eager for the fun as well. He went on to note that one of the gangs first pit stops on their stripping adventure will be at a drag club, exploring the nature of their traveling band of scantily clad men. With that in mind, Tatum says this movie will be "a lot more fun."
"In the first movie, we were obligated to show the underbelly — the pitfalls and dangers of being in that world," the 21 Jump Street star said. "In this one, we kicked off a lot of the darkness. We're going to have a lot of fun on the road together. Hopefully you're going to care about these guys, and then get to see a lot of ridiculous nakedness and stupidity."
Included in some of that "ridiculous nakedness" more excessively, it appears, is co-star Joe Manganiello, as the True Blood star was among the fans' favorites the first go-around.
"We got Joe Manganiello naked as much as possible," Tatum said. "Everyone in the world: you're welcome."
Whether or not the movie lives up to the hype of its first will yet to be seen. Although Matthew McConaughey stepped out from starring in this adventure, the rest of the cast is back, and hoping to bring their A-game. Directed by Gregory Jacobs instead of Steven Soderbergh this time, Magic Mike XXL dances into theaters July 3, 2015.
Image courtesy of Peter West/ACE/INFphoto.com