It seems like just yesterday whenSeth RogenandZac Efronengaged in a battle of wits in the 2014 comedyNeighbors, which became one of the surprise hits of the summer, taking in in more than $270 million worldwide from just an $18 million budget. Both actors return this summer, alongsideRose Byrne, in the upcoming sequelNeighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and to help ring in the new year,Entertainment Weeklyhas the first official photo. The image features bothSeth Rogen’s Mac Radner and Zac Efron’s Teddy Sanders going topless, while Mac’s wife Kelly (Rose Byrne) is wearing a cheerleader outfit.
While the photo appears to depict some sort of a party scene, we don’t have any further details, like whySeth Rogenhas “abs” painted on his chest. EW reveals that some of the parties fans will see in the sequel include a “disorienting hall-of-mirrors rave” and a “down-and-dirtyMad Max-inspired tailgate”. It’s certainly possible that this photo is from the tailgate party, but there aren’t exactly any cheerleaders inMad Max: Fury Road, so we’re not completely sure. At any rate,Seth Rogenrevealed that being shirtless aroundZac Efronisn’t exactly a pleasant experience.
“That one was both a lot of fun and a nightmare to shoot. Anytime I’m shirtless next toZac Efronfor really long periods, it even gets to me eventually.”
Last year’sNeighborsended up with the married couple Mac and Kelly eventually getting the best of Teddy and his fraternity, but in the sequel, they have a new problem to contend with: a sorority that moves in on their block.Chloe MoretzandSelena Gomezstar as two of thesororitymembers, but it isn’t exactly clear how Teddy fits into the picture.Rose Byrnerevealed that the emergence of this sorority has both Mac and Kelly fearful for their daughter’s future.
“With the sorority girls, it’s like a glimpse into their daughter’s future, and it terrifies them.”
Seth Rogenalso co-wrote the screenplay for this sequel, with his writing partnerEvan Goldbergand originalNeighborswriters Andrew J. Cohen and Brendan O’Brien.Nick Stolleris also back in the director’s chair, revealing that his experience on both these movies has made him an expert on how to throw a “fake party.” Here’s what the filmmaker had to say below.
“I could do a TED talk on how to throw a fake party. I’ve thrown at least 20 times more fake parties than real parties, and my real parties are so much worse.”
Other returningNeighborsstars includeDave Franco,Lisa KudrowandIke Barinholtz. Universal has set a July 22, 2025 release date for this comedy, which goes up againstThe Angry Birds MovieandThe Nice Guys. With the arrival of this photo, the first trailer could be just around the corner, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, take a look at the firstNeighbors 2: Sorority Risingphoto, and let us know what you think.
