NEW YORK (AP) – The success of “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” might lead some to wonder if a sequel is in the works.

“I don’t know if you can be a born-again virgin,” says director Judd Apatow. But Apatow told The Associated Press in a recent interview that he’s working on a new comedy for Seth Rogen, one of the stars of the movie.

The burly, bearded Rogen got his break on the short-lived but critically acclaimed 1999 sitcom “Freaks and Geeks” – for which Apatow was a writer.

Rogen, 23, has since appeared in “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” and written for “Da Ali G Show,” but Apatow’s film is his most widely seen work yet.

“I’ve worked with him since he was 16 on “Freaks and Geeks’ and always thought he could be a big comedy star,” Apatow said. “The nice thing about “Virgin’ is that it shows the studios that if the premise is a strong one, you can take a chance on a new actor in the lead.”

Apatow’s gamble on Steve Carell appears to have paid off. The former “Daily Show” correspondent and bit-part character actor has been hailed for his starring performance in “Virgin.”

“So I’m going to do the same thing with Seth Rogen,” Apatow said.

Apatow wouldn’t reveal details of the project, but said it would be an R-rated “offbeat romantic comedy” in the same budget range as “Virgin.” He hopes to begin shooting next spring.

“The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” Apatow’s first crack at feature film directing, has led the box office for two weeks, bringing its total to $48.7 million.

98° to have brief reunion

CINCINNATI (AP) – Pop group 98 Degrees will reunite Saturday to support Justin Jeffre’s run for mayor of Cincinnati.

There may be some singing – but don’t call it a concert, Jeffre says.

“We may sing an a cappella song – possibly two, probably not much more than that,” he said. “We don’t want to give people the wrong impression.”

Jeffre and 98 Degrees members Nick Lachey, Drew Lachey and Jeff Timmons plan to attend a campaign rally Saturday afternoon. They will appear that night at a nightclub where admission will be a donation of at least $10 to Jeffre’s campaign.

Jeffre, 32, is one of seven candidates in the nonpartisan Sept. 13 mayoral primary that will determine the two candidates for a November run-off.

Although he has campaigned actively and has participated in several debates, Jeffre believes he hasn’t been taken seriously.

He wants the group to sing their hit “Invisible Man” at his rally “dedicated to some local media outlets that ignored me.”

98 Degrees last performed in concert at Madison Square Garden in New York the night before the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

They appeared last December on the ABC special “Nick & Jessica’s Family Christmas,” starring Nick Lachey and his wife, Jessica Simpson.