Harrison Ford in Paramount Pictures' 'Morning Glory'
It’s official: Harrison Ford is signed on to the long-awaited sequel to a much-loved movie classic.
No, not that one … at least not yet.
But movie fans can look forward to something nearly as good – Ford is joining the cast of “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues,” the upcoming sequel to Will Ferrell’s 2004 comedy hit.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ford has signed on to play a well-respected veteran broadcaster in “Anchorman 2,” which has just begin filming in Atlanta. Ford will be working alongside a top-shelf comedic cast in the movie, including the original principle players (Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell, and David Koechner), as well as “Bridesmaids” star and former “SNL” cast member Kristin Wiig. Adam McKay, who directed and cowrote the original, will also be on board.
[Related: Harrison Ford reportedly returning as Han Solo in ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’]
While this isn’t the first time Ford has played a veteran TV newsman – he costarred as Mike Pomeroy in 2010’s “Morning Glory” – this ought to give him a chance to put his underappreciated comic skills to work.
It also finds Ford adding to an already busy schedule. He’ll be playing Brooklyn Dodgers’ general manager Branch Rickey in “42,” costars in the adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s sci-fi novel “Ender’s Game,” and is at work on the thriller “Paranoia” with Gary Oldman and Liam Hemsworth.
And while confirmation is hard to come by, it looks like he will be playing Han Solo in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: Episode VII,” and there’s been talk that he’ll be teaming up with Steven Spielberg for one last Indiana Jones adventure.
Ford isn’t the only new and unexpected name said to be joining the “Anchorman” sequel. Terrence Stamp is in talks to play an Australian broadcasting tycoon, James Marsden is rumored to be playing a rival newsman who gets on Burgundy’s bad side, and there’s been speculation that Ferrell’s frequent comic foil John C. Reilly has landed a supporting role.
“Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues” is scheduled to open in theaters in December.
Watch the "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" teaser trailer...