,type=downsize)
Zoolander fans are eagerly counting down the days till thelong-awaited sequel to the Ben Stiller comedy is released in February, and Penelope Cruz,who co-stars in the film, promises that it will be worth the wait.
"For all of the fans of the first one, Ican tell them, I'm almost 100 percent sure, no I'm 100 percent sure, that thisis going to be even better! It's really funny. It's hilarious," the Oscarwinner told Harper's Bazaar in an interview on Tuesday.
"This film is even better than the first, it's hilarious," says Penelope of the fashion comedy sequel Photo: Getty Images
While the plot for Zoolander 2is a closely kept secret, Ben, who plays malemodel Derek Zoolander and is the film's director, revealed that the story picksup 10 years after the 2001 film. "Thoughthe last movie ended on a happy note, a lot of things have happened in themeantime," he told Empire magazine in 2011.Derek and fellow supermodel Hansel's (Owen Wilson) lives have changed, he said. "They're not really relevant anymore. It's a newworld for them." The sequel's script was written by Jennifer Aniston's new husband,Justin Theroux, and the movie also stars Ben's wife, Christine Taylor, Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig.
Penelope and Ben shot scenes from the movie in Rome Photo: Getty Images
Based on photos from the set, Penelope appears to be playingBen's love interest. The pair were seen rolling around in the mud whileshooting a scene and she was also spotted wearing a sexy skintight red catsuitwhile filming with Ben and Owen in the Valentino store in Rome in June. Owenand Ben were also photographed strutting down the catwalk during Paris Fashion Weekin March.
Ben (left) and Owen Wilson on the real-life Paris Fashion Week catwalk in March Photo: Getty Images
"I had a great time. I was there almost three months inItaly," Penelope told Harper's Bazaar. "Ben is such a hardworker and so talented, and you know to be there everyday with Ben and Owen, Ilaughed a lot. And Ben is very serious when he's working, but he forgets thathe's wearing these absurd outfits when he's directing me."
Zoolander 2 is set for release on Feb.12, 2016.