Summary

• Fans clamored for Bad Teacher 2 after the success of the original, but the sequel has remained in development limbo since 2013.
• Cameron Diaz's retirement and negotiation struggles hampered progress on Bad Teacher 2, leaving its fate uncertain for now.
• If Bad Teacher 2 were to happen, the plot would likely focus on Elizabeth Halsey's new role as a guidance counselor, with the original cast returning.

Bad Teacher took audiences by storm with its irreverent humor and chemistry between Jason Segel and Cameron Diaz, leading to a demand for Bad Teacher 2. Directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, Cameron Diaz plays a foul-mouthed, gold-digging teacher, Elizabeth, who is more interested in finding a wealthy husband than educating her students. The stellar cast included Justin Timberlake as Scott Delacorte, Segel as gym teacher Russell Gettis, and Lucy Punch as Amy Squirrel, Elizabeth's goody-two-shoes nemesis.

Bad Teacher is one of Cameron Diaz's best movies and was a box office hit, earning over $216 million worldwide against a modest $20 million budget (via Box Office Mojo). Its success led to a short-lived TV adaptation in 2014, starring Ari Graynor as Meredith Davis. However, the series failed to capture the same charm as the movie, receiving poor ratings and being canceled after only three episodes aired (via TVLine). Despite the TV show's failure, the film's popularity left fans hoping for a sequel, and in 2013, fans got some exciting news, but Bad Teacher 2 still hasn't surfaced.

Bad Teacher 2 Is Not Confirmed

It Was Announced In 2013 Before Cameron Diaz Retired

In 2013, Sony Pictures confirmed that Bad Teacher 2 was in development (via Deadline). Given the original's commercial success, the studio initially had high hopes for a follow-up film. However, despite the announcement, there has been little to no news about the sequel in the decade since. At the time of the announcement, Sony was still negotiating a deal with Cameron Diaz to reprise her role as Elizabeth Halsey. Those negotiation struggles, along with Diaz retiring from acting shortly after, may have contributed to the sequel stalling indefinitely.

The lack of progress on Bad Teacher 2 is not entirely surprising, given Diaz's absence from Hollywood. After starring in a string of successful films, she took a break from acting following her role in the 2014 remake of Annie. Since then, her focus shifted to family life and business ventures. However, Diaz is now out of retirement, as she'll be making her comeback in the Netflix comedy Back in Action with Jamie Foxx. With her return, there's a slight chance Bad Teacher 2 could still happen.

Bad Teacher 2 Cast

Cameron Diaz Would Have Led The Bad Teacher 2 Cast

If Bad Teacher 2 were to happen, the original plan was to have Cameron Diaz reprise her role as Elizabeth Halsey. At the time of the 2013 announcement, Sony stated:

"The project is being developed for Cameron Diaz to star in the film, but no deal is yet set with the actress."

Beyond Diaz, other key cast members of the original movie would likely return. Jason Segel, who played the kindly gym teacher Russell Gettis, seemed like a natural fit for the sequel, considering his budding romance with Elizabeth at the end of the first movie. Justin Timberlake, who portrayed Scott Delacorte, might also have appeared, though his character's storyline seemed primarily wrapped up. Other notable supporting cast members, such as Lucy Punch, played by Amy Squirrel, and Lynn Davies, played by The Office's Phyllis Smith, could have also been strong candidates to return.

Though not a sequel, Cameron Diaz and Jason Segel starred in another raunchy comedy together, Sex Tape, three years later. Sex Tape is available to stream on Netflix.

Bad Teacher 2 Story

The Sequel Would Have Likely Followed Elizabeth Halsey As A Guidance Counselor

By the end of Bad Teacher, Elizabeth Halsey had abandoned her quest for a wealthy husband. Instead, she secured a new job as a guidance counselor, opening up a world of possibilities for Bad Teacher 2. The sequel would likely have explored Elizabeth's unconventional counseling methods as she dealt with the more eccentric students at the school. Russell Gettis, her gym teacher love interest, would undoubtedly continue his romantic pursuit too. Amy Squirrel, the overly ambitious and moralistic teacher, could have resurfaced to stir up trouble in Elizabeth's new professional life.

Sources: Deadline, Box Office Mojo, TVLine