Broken Lizard Delivers Explosive Updates on Highly Anticipated Sequels: Super Troopers 4 & Beerfest 2

The highly anticipated R-rated comedy "Super Troopers 3," a threequel almost a decade in the making, recently celebrated its theatrical debut with a special fan screening and a live Q&A session featuring the acclaimed Broken Lizard comedy troupe. Collider's Steve Weintraub moderated the event, bringing together Kevin Heffernan (Farva), Jay Chandrasekhar (Thorny), Steve Lemme (Mac), Paul Soter (Foster), and Erik Stolhanske (Rabbit) to discuss the film's production, its unique humor, and future prospects for the franchise.

The film sees the return of the beloved State Troopers as they navigate Farva's extravagant wedding to Thorny's sister, Sarita, played by Hannah Simone. Simultaneously, the team must contend with a dangerous crime ring operating in the area. The movie also features returning cast members Brian Cox as O’Hagan and Marisa Coughlan as Ursula, alongside new additions like Nat Faxon as Captain Todd Markowski, Sakina Jaffrey and Iqbal Theba as Thorny’s parents, Chace Crawford and Jon Rudnitsky as the Buchanan Brothers, and Lynda Carter as Governor Jessman.

Broken Lizard members shared insights into the challenging landscape of R-rated comedies, particularly in the post-COVID era. Jay Chandrasekhar noted that this genre is still "in the process of coming back" after the pandemic. Kevin Heffernan elaborated on the logistical difficulties, explaining that mid-budget films, typically around the $20 million range for comedies, struggle to guarantee returns, placing them in "no man's land" between big tentpole blockbusters and very small independent features. Despite these challenges, Steve Lemme and Erik Stolhanske emphasized the unparalleled joy of experiencing a comedy in a crowded theater, highlighting it as "the only way to do it" and a feeling reminiscent of classic comedies like "Animal House" and "Spinal Tap."

The troupe believes the "Super Troopers" franchise has resonated with fans for 25 years because it depicts a group of friends "just having fun with each other" and making good-natured fun of each other. This authentic camaraderie, developed since their college days, forms the "spine of all three movies" and makes audiences feel like they are part of the group.

The development of the "Super Troopers 3" storyline involved numerous iterations. Early ideas included the FBI as antagonists or a motorcycle gang coming through town, akin to films like "High Noon." However, the team eventually settled on Farva marrying Thorny’s sister as the central A-plot, finding it offered more comedic opportunities, such as meeting the parents, a bachelor party, and wedding fittings. The B-plot evolved from initial maple syrup heists, a uniquely Vermont crime, into drug smuggling, playfully dubbed "Canadian Brown," with the joke "Molly, Molly oxen free" sparking early inspiration for the plot device.

The film is packed with memorable references and gags. The electric car featured in the movie was explicitly based on KITT from "Knight Rider," a show Jay Chandrasekhar had previously directed episodes of. Initially, the car's voice was almost Val Kilmer, then Kermit the Frog (until rights issues arose), before finally being voiced by Will Sasso, whom Steve Lemme playfully called "perhaps the funniest Canadian." Mac’s scene where he is frozen was a direct homage to Han Solo in Carbonite from "The Empire Strikes Back," a prop Steve Lemme now proudly owns, much to his children's terror. The team acknowledges their tendency to "jump the shark" in the third act of their movies, referencing earlier gags like the bulletproof jockstrap, but feels that established trust with the audience allows for these comedic leaps.

Behind the scenes, the creation of "Super Troopers 3" involved several "bonkers" sequences. The lobster bachelor party scene was a particular highlight for the cast, who enjoyed shooting it in a real steakhouse with authentic food, creating a genuine party atmosphere. Kevin Heffernan initially resisted the idea of Farva adopting a Boston accent for this scene, but it proved to be a comedic hit. Paul Soter even had a "star tantrum" over cold calamari during the shoot. The syrup explosion scene, culminating in Jay Chandrasekhar’s ad-libbed "bukkake" line, evolved from an early robot sequence idea. Another standout was the gruesome yet quick scene of Farva’s dad breaking his leg, with the comedic anchor being Farva's presence in a "cuck chair." The prop department created a notable hat adorned with a penis and balls, which Heffernan humorously admitted took him half the night to realize included the balls underneath the main phallic design.

Brian Cox's recurring role as O’Hagan remains a fan favorite. According to the team, Cox agreed to return primarily because his character gets to have sex with Lynda Carter, famously known as Wonder Woman. Cox even pitched an idea for "Winter Soldiers" where he would only appear via FaceTimes from a chalet with Carter. The cast playfully noted Cox's "crusty" demeanor, especially post-“Succession” acclaim, and his tendency to lean into his "Logan Roy" persona, which the other members often find themselves in the "blast zone" of, much to their shared amusement.

The film’s ending credits teasing "Super Troopers 4: The Hunt for O’Hagan’s Gold" sparked considerable excitement, though the team admitted to getting into trouble previously with unfulfilled promises like "Potfest" after "Beerfest." This potential sequel, a "jumping the shark" concept involving O’Hagan hiding treasure, would heavily rely on Brian Cox's participation, which the team humorously anticipates would be difficult. Discussions about future relationships for the characters point to Jay Chandrasekhar’s character finding love next. Meanwhile, the long-rumored "Beerfest 2" and "Potfest" are stalled due to complex character ownership issues between Warner Bros. and Paramount, with a trial expected around 2027.

Creative disagreements are a natural part of the Broken Lizard process. Heffernan and Chandrasekhar recalled a "huge fight" in the edit room over the appropriate level of French accent for the "ménage à trois" line delivered by Thorny’s mother. Steve Lemme also recounted a 30-minute debate between Soter (pro-ellipsis) and Chandrasekhar (pro-hyphen) over script syntax, leaving the other members to prepare lunch while the argument unfolded. Kevin Heffernan humorously expressed concern about potential backlash for Indian jokes during a promotional tour in India.

Unexpectedly, "Super Troopers 3" features a Bollywood dance number. This challenging sequence, which Farva performs with his new wife, was a deliberate attempt to create a unique opening scene and step "out of our wheelhouse." Kevin Heffernan, not a natural dancer, underwent extensive choreography rehearsals with Hannah Simone, finding the experience to be a "blast." The film also brought in new talent like Nat Faxon, whose performance as Captain Todd Markowski exceeded expectations. Faxon, an Oscar-winning writer for "The Descendants" and Groundlings-trained performer, elevated the character beyond the initial script, finding humor in every line.

"Super Troopers 3" is currently in theaters, offering audiences a blend of structured comedy and improvisational charm from the seasoned Broken Lizard troupe. Fans can expect future updates on potential sequels as the team continues to navigate the comedic landscape.