Good news for fans of the Magic Mike film series who want to see the sequel film next year-they'll be able to see the film two days earlier, as the release date has been moved up to Wednesday, July 1-two days earlier than its previous assigned release.

Alex Pettyfer Hints He Isn't Returning For 'Magic Mike 2'

According to Fansided, the release date was moved up in order to allow the film to post a slightly higher opening weekend total, and allows it to capitalize on the impending Fourth of July weekend.

The highly-anticipated film is also reportedly geared to start production in the next few weeks in Savannah, Georgia, with the Savannah Morning News reporting on August 27 that it was expected to take five weeks to complete and would likely take place mostly on private property.

Joe Manganiello Testing Stripper Moves On Sofia Vergara?

Once filming begins, it will likely finally put the endless casting rumors to rest for the film, which have tossed the names of several actors into the mix to potentially begin taking on roles in the project-and even included rumors that at least two of the original core cast members wouldn't come back for the film.

Two major actors who haven't been confirmed to be reprising their roles for the sequel are Matthew McConaughey (who portrayed strip club owner Dallas), and Alex Pettyfer, who portrayed Magic Mike's protégé, Adam.

While McConaughey's return is considered unlikely because the plot is supposed to take plance on a road trip to a stripper convention (making his role and his club an unnecessary part of the film), Pettyfer could return-but would need to get the approval of Channing Tatum, who he fought with during the original movie's filming.

"Alex is dying to reprise his role, but Channing is on the fence," a source told OK! Magazine in July. "It's going to take a lot of sucking up for Alex to get his part back."

The source also reportedly said that tatum found the 240year-old actor to be too cokcy and difficult to work with.

OK! also reported on the fight between the two actors back in 2012, saying at the time that Tatum forbade Pettyfer from attending the cast's cover shoot for Entertainment Weekly.

"Those around them tried to mend their relationship, but Channing doesn't want anything to do with Alex," a source said at the time. "Channing said he didn't want to do [the shoot] if Alex was there. Alex is known in Hollywood for being rude and difficult."

Magic Mike: XXL hits theaters July 1, 2015.

Tags: Magic Mike XXL Movies