Javier Bardem, who won an Oscar for playing an evil guy in No Country for Old Men, will be lending his vocal talents to Despicable Me 2. According to Heat Vision the actor is in talks to voice El Macho, a new villain introduced in the sequel who has a son named Machito. No further details on the character were given.

The first film (which made nearly $550 million worldwide) featured the voice of Steve Carell as a villainous mastermind who changes for the better after he hires a trio of orphans for an evil scheme. Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Will Arnett are expected to return, and Universal will release Despicable Me 2 on July 3, 2013.

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Earlier this week we heard from Anchorman director Adam McKay on his plans for Anchorman 2. He said that Steve Carell and Paul Rudd had agreed to cut their price, and they were now “talking to Paramount and trying to get the money to do it.” Well it seems McKay and Paramount have done some talking, but it didn’t go particularly well.

From McKay’s Twitter:

So bummed. Paramount basically passed on Anchorman 2. Even after we cut our budget down. We tried.

So Anchorman 2 won’t be happening. That sucks.

The first film only made $90 million worldwide, which is probably why Paramount passed. Here’s what McKay had planned for the sequel:

“[The '80s angle is] more the frame of it. We have this other, bigger, crazier idea that’s really more what it’s about, which I can’t say. Our thinking was there’s just no way the second one is going to be as good as the first, because the first one is the first one. So our idea is if we’re going to do a second one, we better go for it and try some insane stuff and we’ll be enjoying it and that way it can’t be half bad.”

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Update: Paramount has decided against making an Anchorman 2.

There has been talk of a sequel to Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy for a few years now, however one of the main issues preventing one from moving forward was getting the cast back together.

Since the film was released back in 2004 both Paul Rudd and Steve Carell’s careers have soared and they are now headlining their own movies. Along with success comes higher salaries, and Paramount may have had second thoughts about paying millions to the main actors considering the first film only made $90 million at the box office. Although in a recent interview director Adam McKay spoke about the cast issue, and he revealed that it might not be much of an issue after all.

From MTV:

“It’s a tricky movie because everyone went and did really well after it, so everyone’s prices went up and everyone’s time got a little more valuable. But at the same time, graciously, Steve and Paul and everyone agreed to cut their price to come and do [the sequel], which you don’t see very often in Hollywood — and cut their price substantially. But even with that, it’s just a budgetary thing with Paramount in terms of how much they’ll give us to make it.”

“We had an idea and we contacted Steve and Paul and [David] Koechner and Christina [Applegate] and checked in with everyone and they were all game for it,” McKay said. “The stage we’re at now is talking to Paramount and trying to get the money to do it.”

McKay said that if all goes well then they can polish off the script later this year, and be ready to roll cameras by February 2011. He also hinted at the direction the sequel will be heading:

“[The '80s angle is] more the frame of it. We have this other, bigger, crazier idea that’s really more what it’s about, which I can’t say. Our thinking was there’s just no way the second one is going to be as good as the first, because the first one is the first one. So our idea is if we’re going to do a second one, we better go for it and try some insane stuff and we’ll be enjoying it and that way it can’t be half bad.”

Bigger, crazier, and more insane stuff sounds good to me. Do you want to see an Anchorman 2?

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Shawn Levy hasn’t exactly been on my personal watch-list of directors in recent years. Night at the Museum didn’t do anything for me, and I literally did not crack a smile watching his 2006 Pink Panther film. But Date Night was a surprisingly fun comedy that, while silly at some points, has an undeniable charm to it. There are way worse things to see in a theater right now, so if you haven’t seen How To Train Your Dragon yet, I’d say give it a shot.

I wasn’t thrilled about seeing this film. My apprehension began with my first viewing of the trailer, filled with broad comedy, a tired “marriage in a rut” premise, and a “one crazy night” structure which seemed painfully middle-of-the-road. I didn’t think the film could overcome these elements and rise above its central conceit, but I was wrong. Carell and Fey elevate the material much higher than it has any right to be, and their performances (their chemistry, in particular) allows us to put aside notions of legitimacy and overlook ridiculous plot details in the hopes of seeing these lovable characters work out their problems and live to see the light of the next day.

Carell and Fey are goofy and honest as Phil and Claire Foster, a New Jersey couple whose marriage is beginning to stagnate. They are very much in love, but thanks to busy work schedules (he’s a tax advisor, she’s a realtor) and the daily routine of raising their three kids, they have lost a bit of the spark that brought them together. Most of the film’s heart shines through these characters in little moments: on their regular date night at the local steakhouse, they play games with each other, humorously creating backstories and dialogue for other couples in the restaurant. Spurred into action after learning of their friends’ impending divorce, Phil and Claire deviate from their normal Jersey steakhouse and head for an exclusive restaurant in Manhattan. When they assume the identity of “the Tripplehorns” to snag a table, a case of mistaken identity throws our heroes straight into film noir territory, complete with dirty cops, corrupt public officials, low level thugs, and everything in between.

The side characters aren’t quite as entertaining as the leads, but they hold just enough weight to earn their way past cameo status. Mark Wahlberg is funny as the perpetually shirtless Holbrooke Grant, a former client of Claire’s to whom the couple turn when they realize they’re in over their heads. Common (Smokin’ Aces) and Jimmi Simpson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) are convincing as the goons chasing the Fosters/Tripplehorns, and small roles for James Franco and Mila Kunis don’t hinder their comedic performances in the least. There are appearances by other recognizable actors as well, but I won’t give those away since their presence is part of Date Night‘s charm.

As you might expect, things get absolutely ludicrous as the plot unfolds and the stakes are seemingly raised at every turn. But because we can relate to these characters and care about their plight (however ridiculous it may be), the film is an enjoyable ride to the sunrise and I was totally on board for the whole trip. Josh Klausner’s script provides consistent laughs mixed with “aww” moments of realization for Phil and Claire, and, aside from relying on a blatant deus ex machina at the climax of the film, is effective and well-crafted.

One of the aspects I enjoyed the most was how the film treated Phil and Claire’s relationship. They truly feel like a real couple, and even though the trailer features their kids jumping up and down on them to violently wake them up, the children are (thankfully) quickly banished in favor of the adult storyline. Their relationship felt organic and genuine, about as far from a Bill Engvall punchline as you can get.

As you’ve probably gathered, I liked Date Night quite a bit. I’m not claiming it’ll be one of my favorite films of the year by any means – in fact, I’m sure I’ll forget large chunks of it by this time next year. But this film did its job admirably: it entertained me, and it reintroduced me to Tina Fey’s comedic talent. Her performance and comedic timing may have convinced me to start watching NBC’s 30 Rock. Until next time…

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The trailer for Date Night, which stars Tina Fey and Steve Carell, is now online. The pair play a boring couple who are in need of some excitement, so they go on a date. Steve Carell becomes a little spontaneous and takes up a reservation that wasn’t his. Common then turns up and wants to kill them. How’s that for excitement?

We also see a few small appearances from Mark Wahlberg, James Franco and Mila Junis.

Date Night is directed by Shawn Levy (Night of the Museum) and will be released next April.

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