Exciting news for School of Rock fans! Director Richard Linklater has revealed he’s open to making a sequel, but only under one specific condition.
Linklater discussed the potential for revisiting the beloved film, following Jack Black’s earlier tease that he was always open to reprising his role. “I’d love to rock again,” Black enthused.
Jack Black even shared that he was ‘ready’ to dive back into the musical chaos, humorously suggesting the title could be School of Rock 2: Electric Boogaloo. Imagine the legendary status that would hold!
However, Jack Black insisted on one crucial stipulation for the sequel: the return of original screenwriter Mike White. Despite White’s busy schedule with the acclaimed series The White Lotus, the possibility of his involvement seems more likely now with Linklater’s latest remarks.
While promoting his upcoming Netflix release, Hit Man, set to premiere on June 7, Linklater responded to Black’s comments with a chuckle. “It’s so funny, people will always say stuff like ‘oh Ethan Hawke said in an interview he would be up for another Before film,'” he shared.
Although there have been no formal discussions about a School of Rock sequel, Linklater didn’t shy away from expressing his interest. “Sure, it has been a long time. There was talk of it years ago but I’d love to work with Jack again. But there’s got to be a reason. There’s got to be something,” he explained.
Drawing inspiration from successful reboots like Top Gun: Maverick, Linklater emphasized the importance of having a compelling reason and idea that resonates with the audience and the passage of time.
“There’s another type of sequel I usually call the ‘victory lap sequel’. They’re usually out pretty quick, they’re economic, and everyone knows it,” Linklater noted, stressing that any sequel so far removed from the original needs a solid, relevant premise.
“We’re way beyond that, so why would you do it unless there’s something specific to tell,” he added, hinting at the potential depth and quality a School of Rock sequel would need to meet his standards.
With both Linklater’s direction prowess and Black’s charismatic presence poised for a comeback, and if Mike White can deliver another stellar script, we might just see the School of Rock band back together for an encore that’s nothing short of iconic.