The picture above is one of many from the anniversary dinner of the 12-year-old comedy/drama The Best Man. The cast of Malcolm D. Lee’s 1999 debut hit got together earlier this year to celebrate the occasion and it looks like it has sparked something. Deadline reports the event caused the director to get serious about a sequel.
Shadow and Act already reported last year that he had an idea for a sequel, but requested that it will only happen if enough people “like” the Facebook page. Although I seriously hope that isn’t the barometer for greenlighting a film, it looks like there are enough fans. Universal Pictures has signed Lee to write, direct and produce the sequel with the intention that the entire cast will return.
The original was an early launchpad for many actors who have since had a healthy career including Taye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Nia Long, Regina Hall and Harold Perrineau. The cousin of Spike Lee has directed one of my favorite comedies with Undercover Brother, but hasn’t made a film since Soul Men in 2008, one of the last films featuring the late Bernie Mac. I have little attachment to his original, but fans should be pleased since this seems to be coming out of nowhere. The article also notes there is “no movement” with the studio for a Bridesmaids sequel, so there is that as well. Check out the trailer for The Best Man below.
Were you a fan of the original? Are you looking forward to a sequel?