<P> The film was mostly filmed in Vancouver and Montreal with some scenes filmed in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. . A scene was shot at the Lincoln Memorial on the night of May 21, 2008 . Scenes were also shot at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on August 18 and 20, 2008 . </P> <P> The trailer was released with Bedtime Stories, Yes Man and Marley & Me in December 2008 . The trailer accompanied the film Bride Wars in January, The Pink Panther 2 in February, and Dragonball Evolution in April 2009 . The film was also promoted as an opening skit on American Idol, where a replica of the Idol judge seats are being held at the real Smithsonian Institution . </P> <P> An alternate ending included on the DVD and Blu - ray releases featured the return of Dick Van Dyke as Cecil Fredericks, Bill Cobbs as Reginald, and Mickey Rooney as Gus . </P> <P> Filmmakers loaned the Smithsonian Institution props used in the movie which were displayed in the Smithsonian Castle including the pile of artifacts featured in the film . The Smithsonian also made a brochure available online and at museum visitor service desks outlining where to find artifacts . </P>

Who played the thinker in night at the museum 2