Ben Stiller reprises his role as
iconic fashion model Derek Zoolander in Zoolander 2, this time
filmed in Rome with co-stars Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell and
Justin Theroux and set to hit Italian screens February 11.
Stiller also directed the action-comedy sequel that sends
up the fashion world, which - 15 years after the first
installment - now includes the world of social networks as well.
Stiller was in Rome with his co-stars on Saturday for the
film's fan screening, and he said reprising Zoolander was "like
seeing an old friend, who's always in shape and always
gorgeous".
The film includes dozens of cameos from show business and
fashion personalities, including singers Justin Bieber and
Sting, as well as US Vogue editor Anna Wintour and fashion
designer Valentino.
"It was really exciting to have so many extraordinary
people from the fashion world on set," Stiller said.
"They knew how to get in the game, showing their whole
sense of humour".
The original 2001 film had cameos by David Bowie, whom
Stiller calls "a very generous man and a really great actor", as
well as Donald Trump.
When asked how Stiller sees Trump as a presidential
candidate, the actor replies without missing a beat, "I don't
see him".
Stiller said Rome was the ideal place for the sequel.
"We needed Derek to find himself in a really complex plot
that as usual he wouldn't understand, and what better city for
going back to the past, back to the origin of the times and
archetype of the supermodel," Stiller said.
Co-star Owen Wilson, who once again plays blonde hippie
supermodel Hansel, said the idea for a sequel wasn't always a
given.
"The first film wasn't a great box-office success, but over
the years Ben and I realised how Zoolander had become one of the
public's favorite comedies of ours," Wilson said.
He also mentioned his trip down the runway in character
together with Stiller last March in Paris at the Valentino show.
"The audience reacted like it was a rock concert," he said.
Will Ferrell is also back, in the role of super-egomaniac
Mugatu, and said he "doesn't know much" about the film's new
target, social media.
"I still go around with an old Blackberry and often I get
made fun of. My wife and I have three kids under age 12 and
there isn't much time to post pictures of my sandwiches," he
joked.
"What worries me is how today's kids, instead of living in
the moment, think about posting selfies," Ferrell said.
When asked whether or not a third Zoolander might
eventually be in the works, Stiller had a ready response.
"It took fifteen years for this one, who knows, maybe in
2030".
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