They say the mid-sized movie is dying or gone extinct, and hell, we’ve said it too. But the one avenue where it’s still thriving is in comedy. Made for a modest $18 million, “Neighbors” by Seth Rogen, directing pal Nicholas Stoller and producer Evan Goldberg, took off big time in 2014, raking in $270 million worldwide. With that kind of latitude, the boys decided to get right back at it with a sequel that focuses on the ladies: “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising.”
READ MORE: SXSW Review: ‘Neighbors’ Starring Seth Rogen, Zac Efron & Rose Byrne
The original film focused on an aging-out 30-something couple who move to the suburbs to raise their infant daughter who come in culture-clash conflict with the obnoxious jock fraternity that lives next door. This time, Mac and Kelly Radner (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) reunite with Teddy and Pete (Zac Efron and Dave Franco) to help battle the sorority sisters who move in to their neighboring house. Returning from the original cast are supporting players Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gallo and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and newcomers include sorority girls Chloë Grace Moretz, Selena Gomez, “Dope” star Kiersey Clemons and Lisa Kudrow, among others.
"It was really wild. It was definitely one of the most raunchy, raucous comedies that I’ve ever been part of," Moretz told the Huffington Post a few months back.
“With the sorority girls, it’s like a glimpse into their daughter’s future, and it terrifies them,” Rose Byrne told EW recently about her and Rogen’s characters’ new dilemma. One set piece in the movie is apparently a a down-and-dirty ‘Mad Max’-inspired tailgate. “That one was both a lot of fun and a nightmare to shoot,” Rogen told the magazine. “Anytime I’m shirtless next to Zac Efron for really long periods, it even gets to me eventually.”
“Neighbors 2” lands in theaters on May 20th. Watch the first trailer below.
