One of 2009's surprise smash hits was Kevin James vehicle (and minor tongue-twister) Paul Blart: Mall Cop, a not-as-bad-as-you'd-think workplace comedy about an overweight security guard taking on a bunch of crims. With a $26 million budget, it hauled in $183 million worldwide, which is no doubt why both James and his director, Andy Flickman, are planning a sequel.
Joining Flickman (She's The Man, Race To Witch Mountain, Parental Guidance) and James (I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry, Grown Ups, Zookeeper, Grown Ups 2, Here Comes The Boom) is writer Nick Bakay (the voice of Salem the cat in 1990s Saturday morning classic Sabrina The Teenage Witch) who also co-wrote the first film with James.
As well as co-writing and starring, James will also produce, joined by Todd Garner and Adam Sandler. Fingers crossed that some of the original cast will return, such as Jayma Mays, Keir O'Donnell, Raini Rodriguez, Shirley Knight and Bobby Cannavale. Whoever comes back on board, the production is aiming for a April shoot, with a release date not earmarked just yet.
Our best guess for the sequel's plotline involves Paul Blart getting a promotion and working somewhere bigger and better, such as, say The Mall Of America or, perhaps, Times Square. That's up to Bakay and James, however, but feel free to offer your alternative suggestions in the comment box below.