When it comes to unexpected sequels, a follow-up to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel might take the cake as of late. With that 2012 film racking up over $130 million worldwide on a budget of around $10 million, Fox Searchlight was quick to announce another film in the “franchise,” with John Madden returning to direct, along with much of the cast.
With the title of The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, the first trailer has landed which sells exactly what you’d expect: a genial, harmless, feel-good time. Featuring Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, and Dev Patel, the newcomer this time around is Richard Gere as the story surrounds Patel’s character opening up a new location. Check out the debut trailer and first poster below for the film landing early next year.
THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel), and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy) have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opens on March 6th, 2015.