"Magic Mike XXL," the sequel to the 2012 hit comedy drama film "Magic Mike," has begun its production.
Steven Soderbergh, who directed the first stripper flick, tweeted a photo of the production's slate Sunday, Aug. 31, with the caption, "It's ON!"
The sequel is being directed by Gregory Jacobs from a script co-written by Reid Carolin and Channing Tatum, who also plays the titular role.
Though Soderbergh had given up his director's chair for the second installment of the series, he is still heavily involved with the project.
"I want to be there, but I don't want to be the director," Soderbergh said in an interview for GQ's June cover story. "I want to be a part of it. I want to be in the band, but I just don't want to be the frontman this time."
Soderbergh has signed on as the sequel's director of photography, camera operator and film editor - something that makes Tatum a little bit nervous, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"He is such an opinionated and talented man, if he wants to do a five-minute tracking shot through a forest, you don't want to doubt him," the 34-year-old hunky actor told THR in June 2013. "It would be like having sex with your girlfriend while her porn-star ex-boyfriend is in the room watching you."
Jacobs, on the other hand, is not new to the "Magic Mike" team. "He worked as a producer on the [2012] movie and has been Steven's right-hand man for almost 25 movies," the "Jupiter Ascending" actor said of the sequel's director.
Based on the photo Soderbergh tweeted, the sequel will feature scenes taken in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - a shift north from the first film which was shot on location in Tampa, Florida, Cinema Blend noted.
In addition, there is already a call for extras in Savannah, GA next month, MTV News reported.
Warner Bros. announced on Aug. 27 that "Magic Mike XXL" release date has been moved from July 3 to July 1. 2015, according to Deadline.