Production for "Zoolander 2" has remained stagnant since the original premiered in 2001, but Penelope Cruz joining the cast may provide the spark necessary to kick things into gear.
The Spanish actress will star in the Ben Stiller comedy, according to Deadline. Stiller will reprise his role as the clueless fashion model Derek Zoolander and step behind the camera to direct again.
Other returning stars will most likely include Will Ferrell as the villainous Mugatu and Owen Wilson as Zoolander's catwalk rival Hansel. "The Leftovers" star Justin Theroux wrote the screenplay.
Cruz recently wrapped her latest film "Ma ma" out of Spain and will star next summer's comedy "Grimsby" starring Sacha Baron Cohen. Esquire magazine also named her the Sexiest Woman Alive for 2014.
Stiller first announced his intentions for a "Zoolander" sequel in 2008. The movie will take place in Europe and catch up with Zoolander and Hansel about 10 years later, Stiller told Empire in 2011. The director and Theroux continue to tinker with the script.
"We're trying to sharpen it and hone it and, actually, I don't want to jinx anything, but it looks like it actually might be starting to get up and running," Theroux told the Mirror in August.
The original film premiered two weeks after the attacks on September 11, 2001 and Stiller chose to digitally remove the Twin Towers from the background skyline. The film grossed more than $60 million worldwide.
