You might remember that a couple of weeks ago, we showcased the graphic and brain-itchingly awful-looking teaser for a Showgirls sequel that – we’ll call him a writer/director – Marc Vorlander is pushing. Well, now there’s another twist in the tale that no one wanted to read: news of a Showgirls follow-up, as Rena Riffel, one of the original film’s stars is working on her own version.
"Some media outlets have been reporting and posting about a Showgirls follow-up feature called Showgirls 2, which I am not affiliated with, in any way, shape or form. I'll admit, I was contacted by the German Showgirls fan-turned-“Hollywood director” to star in his first feature film. However, it was so horrifically graphic and out of the show's original story theme that I needed to withdraw from those talks,” she says in a sttement.
“I am officially working on my own Showgirls follow-up feature film. Recently, I posted a short sequel teaser on YouTube, which I wrote and directed myself. The teaser is very different than my feature film screenplay, but I wanted to get the ball rolling and have some fun because everyone seems to be so excited, including me!” You can see the teaser here, by the way… It’s certainly more in keeping with the style of the Verhoeven version, even if it too comes off as being like a fan parody of the original. Oh, and there’s brief semi-nudity in case you’re watching at work or school…
“My film is titled Showgirl, being that I am the last and only 'showgirl' still keeping that flame alive. It's sort of a... ‘Whatever happened to Penny Hope?’ - 15 years later, story. Showgirl is my take on what becomes of a thirty-something year-old stripper who is still obsessed with dancing and fame.”
Riffel goes on to talk about how she’s hoping to work again with some of the original cast on the film, like Gina Gershon and Elizabeth Berkley (good luck with that), and that she’s lining up funding to shoot this summer.
Two Showgirls sequels competing for attention? Maybe this is what brings about the end in 2012...