The sequel to the international hit The Gods Must Be Crazy endured the exact same release troubles experienced by its predecessor. Filmed in 1985, The Gods Must Be Crazy II wasn’t released until 1989. This time around, the film’s star, N!xau demanded significantly more money. Having only received $300 for his role in the first film, the San tribesman learned the value of currency between the two projects and demanded enough money to build a cement house with electricity and plumbing for him, his three wives, and all of his children. The total amount ended up being about $80,000 U.S. But aside from N!xau and writer/director Jamie Uys, the only member of the cast who returned was Paddy O’Byrne, whose simple, straightforward narration provided both films with much of their humor.

Like the first film, the sequel is a blend of several stories, all of which come together at the end and revolve primarily around the exploits of the bushman, Xixo (N!xau). While hunting one day, Xisa (Nadies) and Xiri (Eiros), get separated from their father and happen upon a very strange animal. Unfortunately, the animal turns out to be a truck full of poached ivory which drives off while the kids are exploring it. As it speeds up, the children realize they can’t get off and settle in to fearfully await their fate. Xixo, meanwhile, discovers what has happened and sets off to recover his children. Wiser in the ways of the white man’s world, Xixo no longer sees them as Gods, but rather, “heavy people.”

While Xixo pursues his family, the two other stories surround a scientist (Lena Farugia) gets stranded in the desert with her naturalist/pilot (Hans Strydom), and a pair of antagonistic soldiers who manage to capture and escape from each other.

The film stirred up less controversy than the first, but still managed some due to its light-hearted perspective on the Angolan civil war being waged at the time. Released in the spring of 1990, The Gods Must Be Crazy II managed to make over six million dollars domestically even though it only showed on a few hundred screens. Several sequels followed -- none of which are officially recognized as part of the franchise but almost all of which feature N!xua -- including The Gods Must Be Crazy III, Hong Kong Goes Crazy, and The Gods Must Be Funny In China.