“Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” was a major commercial success when it first premiered in June 2004. At the time, the film grossed over $168 million worldwide against a $20 million budget. Its raunchy comedy, feel-good story, and hilarious cast helped make the movie a classic 2000s hit. Now, 19 years later, Deadline reports the film is officially getting a sequel, and yes, it’ll star Vince Vaughn.
As you may remember, the original film starred Vaughn as Peter LaFleur, the owner of a small, local gym called Average Joe’s Gym that’s in danger of being taken over by his business rival White Goodman (Ben Stiller), who’s the owner of the bigger Globo Gym across the street. When Peter hears about a dodgeball tournament that’s giving away a $50,000 prize, he enters the competition with a group of misfits in hopes of using the prize money to save his business.
Although the new movie is still in its early stages, we know the film is being developed by 20th Century Studios and Jordan VanDina (“The Binge”) is behind the script. Check out more details about the “Dodgeball” sequel below.
“Dodgeball” Sequel Plot
The film’s plot hasn’t been revealed yet. However, in December 2022, Vaughn teased that he once pitched an idea for a “Dodgeball” sequel. “They’ve always talked about these things forever and I had an idea that was fun and the studio likes it, so we’ll see where it goes,” he told the Hollywood Reporter at the time. Considering it’s rumored Vaughn will also produce the new film, according to Deadline, it’s possible that his idea received the green light from 20th Century Studios.
“Dodgeball” Sequel Cast
None of the film’s original cast members besides Vaughn have been confirmed to return for the sequel just yet, but Vaughn once told the Hollywood Reporter that Stiller was “open” to doing another “Dodgeball” movie depending on the plot. “You would just want to make sure going into ‘Dodgeball’ that it feels like a nice continuation and a story that could stand on its own,” Vaughn said about the possibility at the time. “I think for all of us if it feels right and it’s funny, it would be something to go back to, and if it’s not, it’s just another idea getting kicked around.”
Justin Long, who played high school student Justin Redman (aka one of the members of Peter’s dodgeball team) in the original film, told ComicBook.com in October 2022 that he would “love” to be part of another “Dodgeball” movie. “I hope that it ends up happening,” he said, explaining that he’s heard Vaughn’s pitch for a sequel and supports it. “It’s a funny idea. I don’t wanna say what it is.”
Long also said he discussed the idea of a sequel with Stiller, but said the “Night at the Museum” actor was “a little trepidatious” about doing another film. “It’s very risky, you don’t wanna sh*t on the original. You want something just as good. So I think he’s a little wary of that, of trying to recreate something that was very specific to that time, but I hope he comes around on it,” Long said. “Vince is a very convincing person, so I’m just hoping Vince can convince him with his idea.”