Sony Pictures is putting the wheels in motion for a sequel to the 2011 comedy Bad Teacher. The studio announced today that it is developing Bad Teacher 2 with Jake Kasdan returning to direct and Justin Malen writing the script. The first film starred Cameron Diaz as a rough-around-the-edges gold digging middle school teacher who tried to play nice in order to win a cash prize that would pay for breast implants. Though a little uneven on the comedy side, the film was funny enough and featured a stand out performance from Lucy Punch.
It was also a box office success, bringing in $216 million worldwide—pretty impressive for an R-rated comedy. While Diaz has yet to sign a deal to return for the follow-up, the project is being developed for her to star. Hit the jump for more on the sequel and the Bad Teacher TV show.
There’s no word on whether Diaz’s Bad Teacher co-stars Jason Segel or Justin Timberlake would return, but the press release notes that the film takes the characters (plural) in a new direction, so one imagines Diaz won’t be the only one back for more. Personally, I’d love to see more of the antagonistic relationship between Diaz and Punch. The first film’s screenwriters Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg will return in a producing capacity for the follow-up, but no timetable for the project is given. Kasdan is currently getting ready to shoot the comedy Sex Tape, which also stars Diaz and Segel in the lead roles.
If you’re just itching for more Bad Teacher as soon as possible, CBS recently ordered a pilot based on the film to series with Ari Graynor playing the Diaz role. The half-hour sitcom will air during midseason next year. Read the full press release regarding Bad Teacher 2 below, following the trailer for the first film.
Here’s the press release:
CULVER CITY, Calif., June 20, 2013 – Columbia Pictures is developing Bad Teacher 2, to be directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Justin Malen, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, President of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio. Jimmy Miller, Jake Kasdan, Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky will produce the film, and Melvin Mar will executive produce. The project is being developed for Cameron Diaz to star in the film but no deal is yet set with the actress.
Commenting on the announcement, Minghella said, “Bad Teacher was a hit not just in North America, but throughout the world. We’re excited that Jake will be returning to develop and helm the sequel. We love Justin’s take on the material – it hits all the notes that made the first film such a breakthrough hit and also takes the characters in a new direction that is fresh and fun.”
When it was released in 2011, Bad Teacher was a global hit taking in $216 million. It was also recently announced that “Bad Teacher” will be coming to CBS television next season in a half-hour series starring Ari Graynor. The Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Studios co-production received a 13-episode midseason order.
Columbia Pictures Senior Vice President of Production Jonathan Kadin will oversee development of the project for the studio along with Minghella.
Jake Kasdan is in pre-production on Sony Pictures’ Sex Tape, also starring Cameron Diaz, with Jason Segel. He most recently directed and executive produced episodes of the hit series “New Girl.” Kasdan made his feature film debut as writer and director of Zero Effect and also directed the pilots for the television series “Freaks and Geeks” and “Undeclared”; returning to feature films, he directed Orange County, wrote, directed and produced The TV Set, co-wrote and directed Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, and directed and executive produced Bad Teacher.
Justin Malen’s feature film screenplay Bastards was named on The Black List of one of the best unproduced screenplays in 2011. He also completed a rewrite of the comedy project The Manny for Red Wagon and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Malen is represented by Verve and H2F, and Eisenberg and Stupnitsky are repped by Mosaic and WME. Kasdan is represented by WME.