'XXX' in stealth mode abroad

Sherak: Title change to differentiate pic from the original

By GABRIEL SNYDER

Overseas auds won't mistake the upcoming "XXX" sequel for a speech by President Bush.

While the action pic starring Ice Cube will go out Stateside with the title "XXX: State of the Union," in foreign markets, Revolution and Sony have dubbed the film "XXX2 : The Next Level."

" 'State of the Union' is a very American term," says Revolution partner Tom Sherak.

While foreign auds will be spared a term that comes with plenty of political baggage, in the U.S. auds aren't getting the number "2" in the title.

This, Sherak explains, is to differentiate the pic from the original, which starred Vin Diesel and was helmed by Rob Cohen. For the sequel, Lee Tamahori took over the director's chair.