While we were taken aback when news hit that a sequel to this year’s seemingly one-and-done drama The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was brewing, it shouldn’t have been a surprise. Fox Searchlight’s film brought in over $130 million on less than a $10 million budget and with original writer Ol Parker currently returning for a sequel treatment, we now have news on a few additions.
According to insider Roger Friedman, the cast is about to get the royal treatment as Oscar winners Helen Mirren (The Queen) and Colin Firth (The King’s Speech) are “likely” to join the ensemble. With director John Madden returning, one can expect the original players of Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Maggie Smith and even Dev Patel to come back as well.
Another American actress is still needed, but we know the plot will continue adventures in India instead of heading elsewhere, and with these two top-class additions, this is franchise is easily turning into a geriatric take on The Avengers, in terms of star power. Aside from Patel, Firth will also mark the youngest member of the ensemble, with everyone else in their 60’s or beyond, and while the demographic is clearly aimed at that category, it’s hard to pass up the pairing of Dench and Mirren.
Are you looking forward to seeing this ensemble at play?