It was back in the summer of 2012 that we were introduced to the character of Magic Mike for the first time... and now Channing Tatum is bringing him back to the big screen.
Tatum is back in the title role and has teamed up with Red Carolin to pen the screenplay; Carolin penned the script first time around.
However, it is all change in the director's chair for Magic Mike XXL as Steven Soderbergh gives way to Gregory Jacobs - Soderbergh is still on board the project as an executive producer.
Jacobs is no stranger to this franchise as he did serve as first assistant director and producer on Magic Mike, but I am looking forward to seeing him put his own stamp on this film.
Channing Tatum is not going to be the only familiar face strutting his stuff in this new movie, as Adam Rodriguez, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, and Kevin Nash will be reprising the roles of Tito, Ken, Big Dick Richie, and Tarzan.
There are some big new additions to the cast list as Amber Heard, Elizabeth Banks, Jada Pinkett Smith, Andie MacDowell and Michael Strahan are all also on board.
Picking up the story three years after Mike bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, Magic Mike XXL finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them.
On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.
I don't know about you, but Magic Mike was not the movie that I was expecting back in 2012. While it was a racy movie that was packed with mischief, it was a more sensitive and engaging film than I was anticipating. I have my finger tightly crossed that this is recaptured in Magic Mike XXL.
No matter what, I think that Magic Mike XXL is going to enjoy success this summer and could well be an even bigger hit than its predecessor.
Magic Mike XXL is released 3rd July.
Tagged in Channing Tatum Magic Mike