It’s been rumored many times over the years, but last night, Will Ferrell showed up on Conan O’Brien in character as Ron Burgundy (video below) to officially announce that Paramount has greenlit a sequel to 2004′s Anchorman (and to shred some tasty licks on the flute). Ahh, 2004. We were so innocent then.

“As of 0900 Mountain Time, Paramount Pictures and myself, Ronald Joseph Aaron Burgundy, have come to terms on a sequel to Anchorman.”

Nikki Finke from TOLJDA.com, who says she used to own a complete set of Anchorman bobbleheads (wait, what?) adds:

The comedy Anchorman 2 will be produced under mogul Judd Apatow’s banner with Will Ferrell’s and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions. McKay will direct as well as write the script with Will Ferrell who will star again as Ron Burgundy along with the 2004 original’s castmembers Steve Carell and Paul Rudd and David Koechner. [Deadline]

I’m trying to come up with a comedy sequel that was any good, and I can’t think of anything, but a movie with Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and Steve Carell all in it is guaranteed to be worth at least a few laughs and quotes (wait, Will Ferrell wasn’t in Dinner for Schmucks, right? Okay, good, I stand by my previous statement). So I guess they might as well be dressed like 70s TV anchors when they do it. No word on whether any of the minor characters like Wes Mantooth will return (DOROTHY MANTOOTH WAS A SAINT!). Damn, I tried to get through this entire post without a single Anchorman quote and I couldn’t do it. LOUD NOISES! Anyway, I imagine getting Vince Vaughn signed these days involves some heated negotiations over what will be provided at craft services. The man’s not picky about his roles, but he’s Mussolini when it comes to rolls.

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