Agent Cody Banks 2: As the result of a budgetary impasse, MGM has found another director for its sequel to Agent Cody Banks. Kevin Allen, who directed Warner Bros. Pictures' 1999 hairdressing comedy The Big Tease is in final negotiations to come aboard to helm Agent Cody Banks 2. He is replacing Harald Zwart, who filmed the original and was on tap to handle the sequel. But Zwart stepped down during the weekend because of budgetary concerns. Banks 2 begins shooting next month in London, with Dylan Sellers and David Nicksay producing with Splendid Pictures and Maverick Films.

In addition, Anthony Anderson will star opposite Frankie Muniz in MGM's sequel to Agent Cody Banks for director Kevin Allen. Shooting is scheduled to start next month in London. Dylan Sellers and David Nicksay are producing along with Splendid Pictures and Maverick Films. The sequel, penned by Don Rhymer, will see Muniz's title character go undercover as a foreign-exchange student in England. Anderson will star as Banks' special operative handler, much like Angie Harmon did in the first installment. MGM executives Elizabeth Cantillon, Eric Paquette and Stephanie Palmer are overseeing the project.

The casting of Anderson to the project follows on the heels of his successful turn in the comedy Kangaroo Jack. He also has been in business before with MGM as one of the ensemble players in Barbershop for director Tim Story. Anderson is repped by manager ICM, Paul Young at Principato-Young and attorney Rick Genow at Stone, Meyer & Genow. He is onscreen in Malibu's Most Wanted. Anderson next stars in My Baby's Mama and has a cameo in Scary Movie 3, both for Miramax Films.

Thanks to The Hollywood Reporter.