We’ve been talking about it for quite a while already, and now it’s official: the sequel to Richard Linklater’s “School of Rock” is in development, according to Variety. Mike White, who wrote the script for the first film, returns to compile the screenplay for the sequel, which is entitled “School of Rock 2: America Rocks.” This time, the plot follows Jack Black’s character Dewey Finn as he leads a group of summer school students on a musical journey across the country.
The good news at this stage is that Linklater is attached to return as a director. He most recently helmed “A Scanner Darkly.” Black is obviously also back on board.
The original “School of Rock” was produced on a $35 million budget and took home a domestic total of $81.2 million.
Black will next be seen in Ben Stiller’s upcoming action comedy “Tropic Thunder.” After that, he stars in Harold Ramis’ adventure comedy “Year One,” about two hunters who explore the ancient world after being kicked out of their primitive village.
I personally don’t think a sequel is really necessary, but with Mike White returning as screenwriter, chances are the film will end up somewhat funny and original enough to please the fans of the original.