The cast of ‘Magic Mike’ and Schwarzenegger return
THE world of male stripping returns to the silver screen with Magic Mike XXL, which opens in East London today.
Picking up the story three years on from 2012’s Magic Mike, the sequel sees the cast reunite for one last show in the stripper saga, which is loosely based on producer and actor Channing Tatum’s experiences early in his career.
“The first movie was a bit of an exposé of the darkness of this lifestyle, and this [sequel] is a cele actor Adam Rodriguez said at the film’s premiere last week.
“This is why these guys [characters] are friends, why they managed to live this life for as long as they have together, and it’s their farewell to it.”
The sequel, with an expanded cast, aimed to leave audiences, particularly men, with a positive message, actor Joe Manganiello said.
“The unexpected part of this film for people that watch it is that they [characters] are really good guys and they’re very likeable, and their whole mission in life is to treat women better,” he said.
“I think that is something that any guy who comes to the theatre or watches this at home should learn.”
The movie also stars Jada Pinkett Smith, Andie MacDowell and Elizabeth Banks.
● The other new movie in East London today is Terminator Genisys, in which Arnold Schwarzenegger returns to the screen.
The action hero and former governor of California makes a huge splash in this latest instalment of the popular sci-fi movie franchise.
More than 30 years after he first uttered his famous catchphrase “I’ll be back”, the 67-year old reprises his cyborg role in Terminator Genisys.
The franchise has taken more than $1-billion (R12-billion) over three films at the box office worldwide since the original film came out in 1984.
A fourth film, Terminator Salvation, came out in 2009 but without Schwarzenegger, who was still the governor of California at the time.
The former bodybuilder was greeted by hundreds of fans chanting his name as he arrived for the European premiere of Terminator Genisys in Berlin recently.
“I’m having a great time with this movie. I’m in good shape. For me, it is