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Mike White Finished the First Draft of School of Rock 2 Crying

by Alex Billington
June 25, 2008
Source: Defamer

Mike White and Sarah Silverman in School of Rock

A couple of weeks ago when we wrote about Jack Black returning to School of Rock 2 it was only just early speculation. Now it's official - Mike White has just finished the first draft of an actual script. If you've seen School of Rock and felt bad for the character of Ned Schneebly (above left), Jack Black's roommate, that's a good thing - that was Mike himself, and he's a softer guy than you might imagine. White spoke at a panel on Sunday at the on-going Los Angeles Film Festival and revealed via Defamer that he cried while writing. Yep, you heard that right! "I actually just completed a draft of what's potentially the sequel, and I'm still, like, crying as I'm writing the script," he said. "I try to come at it from a personal place—"

White was unfortunately unable to reveal anything about the story, saying that he just turned it in and doesn't even know if it's going to get made, saying "it's a little too fresh off the boat for me to get into right now." I personally loved School of Rock and would certainly welcome a sequel, as long as Jack Black and Richard Linklater returned, but if you're skeptical of White's writing abilities, don't fear. In addition to writing Orange County, School of Rock, and Nacho Libre, White also both wrote and directed a great indie comedy titled Year of the Dog. He also recently collaborated with British filmmaker Edgar Wright on a script called Them. White spoke further at the panel about writing sequels.

"Every time you're creating something, you're always thinking, 'What is the pleasurable part of this? What is the theme that's going to resonate with people?' I've had experiences where I loved what I did, and no one came. And times when I said, 'This could use some editing,' and everybody loves it. Our job is to pretend we know what everybody wants to see, but I don't know. So with this, you want to have a reason to go to the well again. You want it to not just be a reason so people can cash in. But at least now I have a better sense of what it was we created — what worked and what didn't. I can kind of reboot it."

As Jack Black said in the last article, he wouldn't return unless director Richard Linklater came back as well. I agree that this team comprised of White, Black, and Linklater, is what made the first movie so great. However, this is a project that Paramount is developing and they can essentially do whatever they want with it. Thankfully Mike White is already involved, so let's just hope they keep bringing back the same people. From the sounds of it, this might be a good sequel. Let's just cross our fingers and hope Paramount doesn't butcher this into something it shouldn't be. Would you like to see School of Rock return?

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

http://cinexcellence.com Cinexcellence

Not particularly. But I'll probably end up watching it anyways.
http://heroesarg.com Frank

Jack Black said "he *wouldn't* return unless director Richard Linklater came back as well." I also enjoyed 'School of Rock'. I'd watch a sequel.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Thanks for that note Frank... Good to hear I'm not alone in my excitement for a sequel, too!
Lolly

I love School of Rock! I thought it was cute, fun movie that almost anyone could enjoy. I'd love to see a sequel, but I'm scared too. I also love Miss Congeniality, another fun comedy and they went and made a sequel to that and messed it all up. But that's a different, sad story. Hopefully if they continue to have the proper people involved it will turn out to be as enjoyable as the first! I'm crossing my fingers!
Curtis

If everyone comes back then i would be up for it, lets hope it lives up to the first one.
Garrett.king

I think the kids should come back from the first one, that includes Miranda Cosgrove who now has iCarly fame. coming back as the bands manager would be fun to see, and I wonder how much zack has matured and how far his guitar skills have come as well. I'd watch a sequel, as long as (at least some of) the kids come back to and it isn't just the same thing with another set of kids.
Kail

School of Rock 2... I wonder what happens in it, I mean they really told the story with the first one, what can they possibly do with a second? Jack Black does the same thing with a DIFFERENT class of kids? This is a tough one to figure out. Now as far as a good sequel goes, it should have a different story, like the original Shrek 2 plot of having Shrek be transported to modern day Manhatten where everyone is just as rude as he is, that was a good plot for a sequel, then they went and did the same thing again.
interl0per

I liked the first one, I would see the second as long as it doesn't turn out to be a direct to DVD piece of garbage that none of the original actors are in
G

Love to see the School of ROCK film return, its great to inspire kids today to pick up an instrument rather then a gun! Recently I attended a show by the kids of the original School of Rock...("The Paul Green School of Rock", which orginated in Philidelphia in 1998, before the movie came out) they really can play!!!!
Sue

My son joined the Paul Green School of Rock Music after he saw the first School of Rock movie. It's been great for him. He plays really well but more importantly to me, his self esteem has risen, he has great "presence" when speaking to people - including adults. His grades have even gone UP! So if the second movie is as inspirational to kids as the first movie, that'll be great.
chen

I'm a little wary, but I'd watch the sequel. I'd like to see how Dewey Finn's relationship with the first 'band' has grown. I really do hope the kids from the first movie should come back for the sequel; they're a huge part of the reason why I liked SoR so much. Or maybe they could get new actors to play the original characters (though that would be weird). A new set of students just wouldn't have the same appeal to me, I've fallen too much in love with the original ones.:)
http://www.reproductions.co.nr RORY

Mike White Reminds me of Toby from the office
sarah

personally, i think the school of rock was one of the greatest movies ever made, it is certainly one of my favorites!!! i think a sequel would be awesome!!!! i really do hope they make a sequel!!! im praying!!! it would be even more amazing though if they brought some of the old kids back!!! but then agin, they are probably in college by now!!! but still!!! that would be so cool if they did!!! dewey finn was one of the greatest roles jack black ever played!!! i truly hope they make a sequel!!!