Michael Douglas, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Gordon Gekko, returns to reprise his role in the sequel. Oliver Stone, the director of Wall Street has also signed on to the production. Shia LaBeouf has been cast to play an ambitious young trader who falls under the influence of Gekko, similar to Charlie Sheen's character, Bud Fox, in the original film.Guardian: Shia LaBeouf to Join Michael Douglas on Wall Street 2 (April 29, 2009)

• Wall Street ended with Gordon Gekko facing prison for insider trading after he was exposed by his apprentice, Bud Fox. Gekko. Stanley Weiser, the Wall Street screenwriter, was not pleased that real-life traders viewed Gekko as more of a hero than a villain.

In the sequel, two decades after the original, Gekko has just been released from prison and is back in business. Micheal Douglas, now 64, described Gordon Gekko as "a great, old-fashioned villain" whose moral outlook is unaffected by his incarceration. Douglas commented on his character saying, "I don't think he's much different. He's just had more time to think about what to do."Telegraph: Michael Douglas and Oliver Stone Reunite (April 29, 2009)