Overview

• Around 3,000 guests attended the star-studded world premiere at Munich’s Mathäser Filmpalast, featuring performances by Michael Bully Herbig, Christian Tramitz, Rick Kavanian and a musical contribution from Stefan Raab.
• The film opened nationwide on 14 August as a direct sequel to the 2001 hit Der Schuh des Manitu, reigniting fan enthusiasm for its familiar characters and Bavarian-flavored humor.
• Early audience reactions were enthusiastic, with many saying they hadn’t laughed so much in years, even as critics remain divided over the balance of nostalgic moments and dated comedic elements.
• Herbig responded to past cultural-sensitivity criticisms by filming key sequences with Jicarilla Apache actor Alan Tafoya and other Native American performers, aiming for greater authenticity.
• Industry observers warn that shifted viewing habits and streaming competition pose challenges to matching the original’s box-office record, while Sky du Mont marked the premiere with an emotional farewell as his final film role.