Dueling SHOWGIRLS! Rena Riffel Announces Her Own SHOWGIRLS Sequel!

Okay, this whole Showgirls sequel thing has just gone from 'weird' to 'utterly bizarre'.  Rena Riffel - Penny Hope in the original feature - was originally named as appearing in Marc Vorlander's upcoming Showgirls: The Return. Heck, that film was originally titled Showgirls: The Story of Hope. So why isn't Riffel in it? Because she's writing, directing and starring in her own Showgirls sequel.  Really.

The following statement from Rena Riffel, an original SHOWGIRLS cast member who played Penny Hope, in regards to the SHOWGIRLS sequel films currently being discussed in the media:

"Some media outlets have been reporting and posting about a SHOWGIRLS follow-up feature called SHOWGIRLS 2, which I am not affiliated with, in any way, shape or form. I'll admit, I was contacted by the German SHOWGIRLS fan-turned-"Hollywood director" to star in his first feature film. However, it was so horrifically graphic and out of the show's original story theme that I needed to withdraw from those talks.

I am officially working on my own SHOWGIRLS follow-up feature film.  Recently, I posted a short sequel "teaser" on YouTube, which I wrote and directed myself.   The teaser is very different than my feature film screenplay, but I wanted to get the ball rolling and have some fun because everyone seems to be so excited, including me!

My film is titled SHOWGIRL, being that I am the last and only "showgirl" still keeping that flame alive. It's sort of a..."What ever happened to Penny Hope?" - fifteen years later, story. SHOWGIRL is my take on what becomes of a thirty-something year-old stripper who is still obsessed with dancing and fame.

We are planning on shooting this coming summer and are still searching for a few of our leading and supporting characters to round out the cast.  SHOWGIRLS' fans will be pleased to learn that some of the original cast members have agreed to be in SHOWGIRL, and some of my MULHULLAND DRIVE cast members will appear as well.  It is my hope to work with my SHOWGIRLS friends Gina Gershon and Elizabeth Berkley again too. And, I am even thinking about giving my former STRIPTEASE co-star friend Demi Moore a call.

You could say I'm pulling a "Barbra Streisand."  SHOWGIRL is my YENTL, because I will be writing, directing and starring! We are securing major funding and working with top production talent, like the original post production team who did the original SHOWGIRLS.  It's pretty exciting and amazing. Stay tuned for more news coming soon!"