Jack Black wants a ‘School of Rock’ sequel — but ‘White Lotus’ is getting in the way

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Rock on your bad self.

Jack Black said he’s down for a “School of Rock” sequel — but that “The White Lotus” is standing in his way.

That’s because Mike White, who wrote the original 2003 “School of Rock” movie, also created HBO’s breakout hit “The White Lotus” — and he’s working on Season 3 of that series right now.

Dewey Finn (Jack Black) teaches his students how to rock ‘n’ roll in “School of Rock.” 1996-98 AccuSoft Inc., All rights reserved
Dewey Finn (Jack Black) teaches his students how to rock ‘n’ roll in “School of Rock.” 1996-98 AccuSoft Inc., All rights reserved

“You know Mike White wrote the the first one and he’s a genius,” Black told Variety. “And we’d have to have Mike White back in the saddle, but he’s real busy right now with ‘The White Lotus,’ the best show on TV.

“I wish there’d be a ‘School of Rock 2 Electric Boogaloo,” Black joked, referring to “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo,” the 1984 sequel to the dance musical “Breakin’.”

“I’m ready.”

Season 3 of “The White Lotus” will take place in Thailand, where White is currently hunkered down in production on the Emmy-winning series.

White wrote the screenplay for “School of Rock,” directed by Richard Linklater, in which Black played Dewey Finn, a guitarist who’s thrown out of his rock group No Vacancy — and then assembles a makeshift band of kid musicians while substitute-teaching at a prep school.

The movie co-starred White, Sarah Silverman and Joan Cusack; child actors included future “iCarly” star Miranda Cosgrove.

Jack Black and Mike White at the premiere of HBO’s “Enlightened” in October 2011. FilmMagic
Jack Black and Mike White at the premiere of HBO’s “Enlightened” in October 2011. FilmMagic

It was adapted into a hit Broadway musical from 2015 to 2019; kid’s network Nickelodeon also adapted “School of Rock” into a series that aired for three seasons from 2016 to 2018 and starred Tony Cavalero as Dewey Finn.

In 2022, Black told Entertainment Tonight that the movie is the high point of his career.

“My best memories are just that group of kids, and how funny and great they were,” the “Kung Fu Panda 4” actor said at the time. “It’s definitely the highlight of my career, I can say that. Honestly.”

The poster for “School of Rock,” which hit theaters in 2003.
The poster for “School of Rock,” which hit theaters in 2003.

While Black looked back fondly on “School of Rock,” he told People that it’s not the movie of which he’s most proud.

“In a weird way, it might be ‘Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny,'” he said, “because that’s the only movie that I wrote.

“So, that one is actually my real baby. Maybe it’s not the best, but it’s my proudest.”