‘Super Troopers 2’ Officially a Go After Crowdfunding $4.4 Million
Fourteen years after the cult indie comedy Super Troopers introduced the “Meow Game” and “mustache rides” into the lexicon, comedy troupe Broken Lizard will officially begin work on the film’s sequel after clearing over $4.4 million as part of an Indiegogo campaign. Broken Lizard initially set a $2 million goal in order to fund the film; that benchmark was exceeded after only 24 hours thanks to the film’s fervent following. Super Troopers 2 ends its fundraising campaign as the second-biggest crowdfunded film, behind only Veronica Mars‘ record $5.7 million Kickstarter effort, Variety reports.
Broken Lizard – Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske – locked in a distribution deal with 20th Century Fox leading up to their Indiegogo campaign. The original Super Troopers followed the shenanigans of five Vermont state troopers that, despite being terrible at their jobs, take down a drug smuggling ring. Virtually ignored when it was released theatrically in 2001, the comedy became a cult favorite following its DVD release.
Among the many “perks” the troupe offered up to contributors were autographed scripts and DVDs, exclusive tickets to future Super Troopers 2 screenings and, for only $20, the opportunity to have Heffernan’s character Rod Farva personally call you a “chickenfucker” on YouTube. With each additional quarter-million dollars raised, Broken Lizard promised “the more money we raise, the more great, fun shit you’ll get to see.”
However, by falling just short of $4.5 million, the quintet won’t be able to procure real live bears for the sequel, although some donations are still trickling in. Even sadder, Broken Lizard’s $5 million goal came with a vow that actor Brian Cox, who portrayed Captain O’Hagan in the 2001 original, would return for the sequel. It’s unclear whether Cox will appear in Super Troopers 2.
With the film’s budget now locked in, Super Troopers 2 will go into pre-production starting this May, with filming set to begin this summer in the Northeast.