Will There Be A Bridesmaids 2? Everything We Know So Far
Bridesmaids is a hugely popular comedy hit, starring creator Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy. Is there potential for a sequel to make it to screens?
The smash-hit comedy Bridesmaids was released in 2011, and despite how long its been, the question for many is whether there could be a Bridesmaids sequel. Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo wrote the movie and Wiig stars as Annie whose life began to fall apart after the closure of her bakery. The pressure further took hold when her best friend's wedding resulted in a falling out between her and bride Lillian (Maya Rudolph.) While the narrative was very emotional for Annie, the storyline allowed for fantastic humor, intertwined with friendships and life's difficulties, all delivered by a stellar cast, including Melissa McCarthy.
The movie grossed over $280 million at the worldwide box office (via Box Office Mojo). It also racked up an impressive number of accolades, including Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for McCarthy, rightly ranking Bridesmaids as one of her best films. From the cast to the narrative itself, every aspect of the movie was enjoyable, especially as the comedic element was never forced, but performed effortlessly. Nonetheless, whatever the response from audiences and critics is to any movie, the question of a Bridesmaids sequel comes down to whether the creators believe they can do it again.
Most Recent Bridesmaids 2 News
While Bridesmaids 2 news has generally been quite discouraging, the latest update on a potential sequel is positive. When asked about it, Bridesmaids star Rose Byrne expressed interest in a follow-up. Byrne acknowledged that it would be difficult to top the original movie as it was so beloved, but she insisted that "If all the girls were in, I absolutely would." Byrne went on to express her desire to reunite the ensemble of the original movie and even suggested that it was not necessarily a Bridesmaids sequel that could bring them together. She suggested "Maybe we could do a different movie together. A re-imagining of something."
Byrne is correct that the ensemble is one of the reasons the movie works so well in the first place and each of them has gone on to become bigger stars since the original. Perhaps a spiritual sequel to Bridesmaids in which the cast came back together as different characters in a totally new story could be the better direction to take. It would save the movie from falling into the typical trap of comedy sequels in just repeating the jokes that worked the first time.
Bridesmaids 2 Is Unconfirmed
Despite the success of the first movie, a Bridesmaids sequel remains unconfirmed. Having directed the first movie, Paul Feig said a Bridesmaids sequel isn't looking likely. He explained the plot worked well because the comedy centered around Annie's calamitous life. However, her healing resolved the central issues of the film. After everything came good for her, it would seem unrealistic for her life to take a sudden dip once more, with her encountering similar problems.
For a Bridesmaids sequel to be on par, it needs equal emotional engagement found with Annie's character. A simple reunion at a wedding, for example, wouldn't have the same pathos conveyed in Bridesmaids. Feig states that ultimately, the decision is in Wiig's hands, as the idea stemmed from her and Annie Mumolo. However, the director did say a Bridesmaids sequel would be "fun," so if Wiig wanted to create one, he would likely be on board.
Bridesmaids 2 Cast
It seems that a necessity of the sequel is that the Bridesmaid 2 cast would once again be led by Wiig. Unfortunately, she said a Bridesmaids sequel wouldn't happen. In a similar vein to Paul Feig's thoughts, Wiig feels the narrative has been told, and it's not something she wishes to revisit any time soon (Via Us Weekly). Contributing to other projects shows Wiig has moved on to new things, but that doesn't negate the fact that Bridesmaids means a great deal to her. Mumolo added to Wiig's thoughts by describing how the lengthy process of making a movie made them feel like they'd got Bridesmaids out of their system. Evolving a movie from paper to the screen requires time, dedication, and effort.
Wiig was the star of the show but the whole ensemble stood out suggesting that a sequel could work with somebody else in the lead role. The obvious choice would be Melissa McCarthy who became a breakout star following the first movie and has headlined successful comedies since then as well as earning an Oscar nomination for the drama Can You Ever Forgive Me? Rose Byrne is also a big star in her own right with comedies like Neighbors and acclaimed series like Physical. Maya Rudolph, Ellie Kemper and Wendi McLendon-Covey have all had success outside Bridesmaids but it would be unlikely any of these actors would return without Wiig involved.
Bridesmaids 2 Story Details
Despite the lack of confidence in a second movie, director Paul Feig has an idea for a Bridesmaids sequel story. Feig said that the movie's heart was all about Wiig's character and that she has found happiness in her life. However, he did say that if there was a second movie, he would focus the story of that movie on Annie's wedding. Similar to how the first movie saw Lillian's wedding as the reason the bridesmaid's got together, it would be Annie's the second time, and then the women could just get into trouble once again.
"People want a Bridesmaids 2, which would be fun, but think about it. The reason we love that movie so much is because Kristen Wiig's character is going through the fire and repairing herself. Does she go through the fire again and repair again? Or do we just have a 'crazy' wedding?"
Fans remember Bridesmaids with fondness, whereas if a sequel didn't live up to standard, the negative response would be the lingering thought left with audiences. So for now, it looks like a Bridesmaids sequel isn't happening but isn't 100% off the table, and the final call with rest with Wiig and Mumolo - who made Bridesmaids into the success it was.
