Berlinger, a veteran of TV shows such as "Arrested Development" and "Gilmore Girls," began lensing "Dukes 2," the first production under a partnership between the studio's theatrical and homevid divisions, on Monday, with Willie Nelson returning as Uncle Jesse. Bill Gerber returns as producer of the pic, expected to hit homevid next year.

"Deal or No Deal" thesp April Scott steps into the Daisy Duke role played by Jessica Simpson in last summer's theatrical adaptation; Jonathan Bennett and Randy Wayne step into the roles of Bo and Luke Duke, respectively. Chris McDonald will play Boss Hogg, the role Burt Reynolds portrayed in the original, and Sherilyn Fenn has been cast as Lulu Hogg.

In the prequel, cousins Bo and Luke Duke are arrested and paroled under the care of their Uncle Jesse when they try to foil Boss Hogg's plans to foreclose on their uncle's farm.