Many stars return in ‘Museum’ sequel

Movie: "Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian"

When: Opening Friday at local theaters

Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Amy Adams, Steve Coogan, Hank Azaria

Director: Shawn Levy

The story: No longer a museum security guard, Larry Daley has moved on to bigger and better things as an inventor and entrepreneur -- that is, until friends Jedediah Smith and Octavius are mistakenly shipped to the Smithsonian Institution, prompting Larry to rush to the rescue.

The buzz: Stiller returns in the sequel to the family-friendly 2006 hit, along with co-stars Robin Williams (Teddy Roosevelt), Owen Wilson (Jedediah), Steve Coogan (Octavius) and even Ricky Gervais, who was supposed to have an expanded role as Dr. McPhee -- until production of his big-screen directorial debut, "The Invention of Lying," reduced his screen time. Newcomers range from Amy Adams (as famed pilot Amelia Earhart) and Bill Hader (as Gen. George Armstrong Custer) to Christopher Guest as power-crazed czar Ivan the Terrible and Hank Azaria as power-crazed pharaoh Kahmunrah. (Azaria also supplies the voice for one of the Smithsonian's many treasures: French sculptor Rodin's iconic statue The Thinker.)