[9:08] Spanish actress Penelope Cruz poses on the red carpet before the Spanish Film Academy's Goya Awards
IN PHOTO: Spanish actress Penelope Cruz poses on the red carpet before the Spanish Film Academy's Goya Awards ceremony in Madrid, February 7, 2015. Reuters/Javier Barbancho

Ben Stiller announced after months of speculation that Spanish actress Penelope Cruz would be starring in Zoolander 2 via Instagram and Twitter on April 16. Stiller in his ubiquitous style revealed the news by posting a picture of the actress during her childhood, according to Hollywood Reporter. It showed Penelope as a child smiling into the camera and her hair centre parted and tied with bows on two sides. “Excited to announce Penelope "Little Penny" Cruz has joined #Zoolander2 cast! #fbf,” the 49-year-old comedian captioned the picture.

Since last year, Cruz was rumoured to be part of the sequel, but this is the first official confirmation of the actress joining the cast. Penelope joins original stars Stiller, Owen Wilson and Will Ferrell in the long-awaited sequel that is set to hit theatres on Feb. 12 next year. But her character has not been revealed yet. Both the actors announced the film by walking the runway for Valentino during Paris Fashion Week in March.

The cult comedy film “Zoolander” released in 2001and earned $60 million worldwide on a budget of $28 million. The movie immortalised the characters of Derek Zoolander and Hansal McDonald which was played to perfection by Stiller and Wilson and is a spoof on the fashion industry. The sequel is written by Stiller and Justin Theroux, who last teamed up with the actor on “Tropic Thunder”.

Stiller in the returning in the film’s sequel as the titular male supermodel and Blue Steel creator, Owen Wilson plays his rival and best friend Hansel. It also has Christine Taylor as his wife Matilda Jeffries, and Will Ferrell as evil fashion mogul Jacobim Mugatu, along with new cast member Kristen Wiig in an unspecified role.

The shooting for the new film has been taking place since months in cities including Paris and Rome. “Zoolander 2” will focus on Derek and Hansal after a time span of 10 years. Meanwhile, Penelope was last seen in film “The Counselor” in 2013 with Brad Pitt and her husband Javier Bardem. She was the first Spaniard to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

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