“The Canoe of Manitu” brings the well-known characters of the Winnetou parody back to the screen.
Michael Bully Herbig wrote German film history in 2001 with “The Shoe of Manitu”. Now the comedian and director has announced the long-awaited sequel for 2025. The “Winnetou” parody attracted almost 12 million viewers to the cinemas and is still one of the most successful German productions to this day.
“You should be the first to know! “I’m really excited to announce the sequel to ‘The Shoe of Manitu’,” Herbig said on his Instagram profile. The second part is titled “The Canoe of Manitu” and promises to hit the screens in 2025. The main roles will once again be seen by Michael Bully Herbig as Apache chief Abahachi, Christian Tramitz as his blood brother Ranger and Rick Kavanian as Dimitri Stoupakis.
“Don’t be politically correct!”
In the comments on Instagram there are very different opinions about the announced sequel. Some see a sequel to the comedy as problematic: “Oh, I’m critical of that. As much as I laughed at ‘The Shoe of Manitu’ in the cinema over 20 years ago, I find a sequel inappropriate today. I really hope that the racist and anti-queer content has no place in the new film.”
Another is happy and commented: “ONLY if it’s as uncensored as it was back then! I’m gay myself and I ask you: Don’t be politically correct!”
In 2022, Bully commented on the “Winnetou” debate that was emerging at the time, which was primarily about the accusation of cultural appropriation. On the talk show “3 after 9” he said about “The Shoe of Manitu”: “I made the film 22 years ago and it was a parody of films that were in the cinema 60 years ago. The comedy police have become so strict.”
Herbig also said that the film at the time – similar to fairy tale stories – had to do with the realization of dreams. Today, however, you have to take many different opinions and views into account when making a film like this, “because you have the feeling that you’re stepping on people’s toes very quickly.”
Direction, production, script: Bully does everything
The production company Constantin Film confirms that the 55-year-old will not only direct but also be responsible for production. The script, which forms the basis for the long-awaited sequel, was written by Herbig, Kavanian and Tramitz. Filming is planned for this year.
Oliver Berben, deputy chairman of Constantin Film AG, emphasized Herbig’s outstanding talent in a statement: “Bully is undoubtedly considered one of the most outstanding filmmakers in Germany and has mastered the art of making people laugh with his distinctive humor.”
The comedian himself adds humorously: “We were all standing at the printer very excited. And when we finally got the script in our hands, we couldn’t believe our luck: it’s a comedy!”