Matthew McConaughey won't be Returning for 'Magic Mike XXL'

There are going to be some changes for Channing Tatum's sequel, Magic Mike XXL, and those who enjoyed seeing Matthew McConaughey's bare chest won't care for them. While previous comments by Tatum suggested the entire cast (sadly, even Alex Pettyfer) would be coming back, director Greg Jacobs has told ThePlaylist that McConaughey's Dallas won't be returning. Sorry ladies, but it's not as if there aren't plenty of other movies where he's got his shirt off. Besides, co-star Gabriel Iglesias clued us to this months ago.

Jacobs continues to describe the film as a road trip movie, but added that "it’s different enough that once you see it you’ll understand why we made a sequel. No one will be accusing us of making the same movie twice.”  Tatum and Reid Carolin are once again co-writing the script, using the actor's prior experiences as a guide.

Magic Mike XXL opens July 1st 2015.

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'Magic Mike' Sequel Lands Director and Awesome New Title

We knew the ladies loved Channing Tatum, especially shirtless gyrating Channing Tatum, but few would have expected them to stuff Magic Mike with 167 million dollar bills. With that kind of money, a sequel has been talked about with Tatum possibly taking over as director of the stripper dramedy. But it looks like that job will go to someone else familiar with the budding franchise.

The Playlist has learned that Greg Jacobs will direct the sequel, with the title revealed as Magic Mike XXL. Jacobs has close ties to the prior film, serving as producer and first AD. He's worked for much of his career with Steven Soderbergh, who also produced Magic Mike. He also directed Criminal and the little-seen Emily Blunt horror, Wind Chill.

As for the story, we've heard previously that it would be more of a road trip movie with Tatum again using his early stripping career as the basis. It's unclear who from the original cast will return, but one who definitely expects to be back as Joe Manganiello, who played *ahem* Big Dick Richie. Talking with Collider, Manganiello said that plans are for filming to begin later in the fall...

Manganiello: “Yeah, it’s gonna happen this fall. I think they’re going to announce it soon. It’s crazy. I didn’t think that would be my first franchise. I never thought that would ever be the direction of my career. But that said, it’s just proof that I don’t know best, all the time. It was the most fun I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to get back in and mix it up with those guys.”

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