Adam McKay dives into the details and musical numbers for Anchorman 2

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

There was a small celebration in the online community when the news came that ANCHORMAN: THE LEGEND CONTINUES was finally moving forward. After a series of ups and downs, Adam McKay was finally given the greenlight to continue on with the sequel that everyone wanted.

In an interview with the director, it was interesting to find that McKay wanted to do a 6-month Broadway run then go shoot the movie. Obviously, the idea was one of the many things Paramount shot down. McKay did say that the sequel would have some music:

“The music sequences we have done — we did ‘Afternoon Delight’ [in ‘Anchorman’], Adam Scott and his family singing ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ [in ‘Step Brothers’], we did a whole song for ‘Talladega Nights’ that got cut out, a big, big musical number — we always do it live on the set,” McKay said. “And my thing is, if the actors get freaked out, don’t sweat it, we can always re-record it later. And every time we’ve done it, we end up using the live track from the recording. We’ll probably do it the same way in this. This one might have a little more movement in it, and the only problem with that is the actors get winded.”

He then went on to discuss the issues that the movie will tackle– nothing too serious. McKay is often outspoken in his political and social beliefs for those who are subscribed to his updates on Facebook. While Ron Burgundy may be faced with real world problems, don’t expect him to tackle them in a real world way:

“Even thought it’s going to be a big silly movie, it’s all about the rise of the new media and 24 hour news cycle, and there’s a lot of interesting points to make about that while being silly,” he said. We asked if Ron Burgundy will get a “Mr. Smith Goes To Washington”-esque moment to make a rallying cry. “It’s been discussed, there’s a little wisp of [talk]. We’d never do it straight ahead, we gotta fuck with it in some way. Because Ron Burgundy isn’t quite Jimmy Stewart in character, so if he does, he’s not going to do it well,” he explained. “But there’s a little bit of that going on. I mean what is this 24 hours news, and this wall of white noise information, has it really been good for our country? The great thing when you find a point of view like that is that it doesn’t have to be preachy or didactic, it’s also funny. It’s just funny that Americans have to contend with 2000 channels, and 60 different specific news sources, and the confusion that it creates, and the junk that we get to see is hilarious. That’s what we’re always kinda looking for, what’s the point of view that’s got life to it and plays. We’re talking about for ‘Anchorman 2’ creating a murderer’s row of the best day players ever. Like having every single one line or three line role, just be someone we just love. Someone like Ian Roberts or Rob Huebel or Paula Killen — just making sure every day player is a homerun.”

I could not be more excited. I’m in a glass case of emotion.