"Zoolander 2" made news for its record-breaking trailer views. The feat was reported by Deadline, as the production team continued to snub recent complaints about the movie from LGBT advocates.
According to Paramount Pictures, the trailer for the Ben Stiller starrer has gathered more than 52 million views after being released online around a week ago.
It is reportedly the most number of views for any comedy trailer, besting the 49 million trailer views for Jim Carrey's "Dumb and Dumber." Other comedy films that raked in top trailer clicks include "22 Jump Street," "Hangover 3," "Ride Along 2," "Anchorman 2" and "Trainwreck."
Opening on Feb. 12 next year, "Zoolander 2" has been making news because of anticipation of their fans worldwide. The first "Zoolander" opened on September 2001 to $15.5M stateside and totalled a global gross of $60.8M.
The sequel will feature comedians Ben Stiller as superficial male model Derek Zoolander, Owen Wilson as rival model Hansel and Will Ferrell as the notorious fashion mogul Mugatu.
Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz will also be part of the film. Cast as Interpol agent Valentina, she hires Zoolander and Hansel to investigate a death plot against the world's most beautiful people, including pop star Justin Bieber.
Other celebrities who will be part of the movie include Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen, Milla Jovovich, Christine Taylor, Justin Theroux and Kyle Mooney.
However, "Zoolander 2" also made news recently because of one controversial cast member.
According to a report from Entertainment Weekly, a fictional supermodel named "Ali," who will be played by "Sherlock" actor Benedict Cumberbatch, was slammed by LGBT advocates.
Led by a certain Sarah Rose, an online petition was created to boycott "Zoolander 2" specifically because of Benedict Cumberbatch's role.
"In the Zoolander 2 trailer, an androgynous character played by Benedict Cumberbatch is asked by Zoolander and Hansel if he is a 'male or female model,' and if they 'have a hot dog or a bun,'" the petitioner wrote.
"Additionally, Cumberbatch's character is clearly portrayed as an over-the-top, cartoonish mockery of androgyne/trans/non-binary individuals."
"This is the modern equivalent of using blackface to represent a minority," Sarah Rose added.
Even though the petition has gathered more than 5,800 signatures, Paramount Pictures has not yet commented on the issue.
