FIRST LOOK

New Batch of Photos from Ben Stiller's Night at the Museum 2

by Alex Billington
November 20, 2008
Source: USA Today

One of the few movies I'm not looking forward to next summer is Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian, the sequel to Ben Stiller's holiday comedy from 2006. Alas, there are plenty of fans of the first film, so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt this time (at least until we get a trailer). USA Today has our first look at a new batch of photos from the film, most of which include Stiller and/or one of the many comedic faces that appear in the sequel. They're expanding the fantastical universe from the Museum of Natural History in the first movie to the Smithsonian this time - and that means so many more historical characters will be coming to life. If you're at all excited for the sequel, then definitely take a look!

"The range of comic talent, from legendary and well-established to the up-and-coming and new, was part of the casting strategy," director Shawn Levy explains. In addition to Ben Stiller, comedians Ricky Gervais, Robin Williams, Steve Coogan, Paul Rudd, Christopher Guest, Hank Azaria, Bill Hader, and Jonah Hill all appear in the film as well. This time it's the Evil Pharaoh Kahmunrah (played by Azaria) that Stiller must battle. He believes he must defeat Stiller in order to take over the world, but along the way, he loots Smithsonian exhibits, including Muhammad Ali's boxing robe. Click any of the photos for a few more!

Night at the Museum 2: Battle of the Smithsonian is again directed by Shawn Levy, of Big Fat Liar, Cheaper by the Dozen, The Pink Panther, and the first Night at the Museum as well. Original screenwriters Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon (of "Reno 911!" fame) are back and they're joined by Simon Kinberg, of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Jumper. Night at the Museum 2 will arrive in theaters everywhere on May 22nd, 2009 next summer. Who will win this fight: Terminator or Larry Daley?

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