Nine years after Adam McKay’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy came out, the cult status of a film that was already popular to begin with has indeed grown to almost legendary status, with talks of a sequel happening seemingly before the first film had even been produced. With the sequel now “anchored” to a December 20, 2013 release date, the casting is in full force.
The latest familiar face to join the cast, according to Deadline, is James Marsden, fresh from showing his comedy chops off as Liz’s boyfriend Criss on the final season of 30 Rock. For a comedy, the secrecy levels around the plot are pretty impressive, but sources say Marsden will play a rival anchorman and Ron’s nemesis, which could make for some interesting moments of awkwardness - though Will Ferrell will probably bury Marsden when it comes to improv. Visions of Ferrell’s Ashley Schaeffer standing toe to toe with Danny McBride’s Kenny Powers on Eastbound and Down spring to mind.
Marsden has had a busy 2012, filming several 2013 releases, including the adaptation for the crazy-good Belgian thriller The Loft; the comedy drama As Cool as I Am opposite Claire Danes; David Hackl’s wilderness thriller Red Machine; the crime drama 2 Guns with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg; and Lee Daniels’ White House drama The Butler, where Marsden will play John F. Kennedy. That’s not to mention all the X-Men rumors he’ll be dealing with.
Marsden is joining a star-studded cast that includes most actors from the first film, including Ferrell, Steve Carrell, Paul Rudd, and David Koechner, as well as comedy vets Kristen Wiig and Christina Applegate. Don’t act like you’re not impressed.
