It was a rare moment of seriousness in an otherwise raucous evening on the burgundy carpet in Leicester Square.
But Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues star Will Ferrell has admitted he and his co-stars took a “huge pay cut” to make the movie.
The 46-year-old comedian reprises his role as news anchor Ron Burgundy in the sequel, the production of which was beset by difficulties and comes nine years after the original.
Speaking at its premiere at Vue West End, he said that he and his news team — played by Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner — were determined to get the follow-up made after the first became such a hit with fans.
He said: “We all took a huge pay cut because we wanted to do the movie so much.”
Little else about the premiere was serious, with the cast being welcomed onto the stage by a military fanfare.
The news team’s female co-stars, Christina Applegate and Meagan Good, also attended.
Ferrell joked that it was not easy working with his co-stars.
“It was difficult at best,” he deadpanned.
“A lot of these guys, they come on really nice but they’re kind of jerky. I tried to make friends and they just said it wouldn’t work.”
Rudd, who returns as field reporter Brian Fantana, said: “There were so many false starts over the nine years. But the stars aligned and we were able to do it.”
Carell — who plays weatherman Brick Tamland — said: “It was very exciting. They are the nicest guys you ever want to be with.”
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues opens in cinemas on December 18.
