'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' Sequel Confirmed With Nia Vardalos, John Corbett

In 2002, My Big Fat Greek Wedding was like the Titanic of independent comedies, taking the world by storm and becoming the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all-time domestically, raking in $368.7 million off of its modest $5 million budget. Now, 12 years later, we'll be checking back in with Toula Portokalos and her impossibly large, wonderfully colorful Greek family.

Nia Vardalos has confirmed she is making a sequel to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and has already written the script. In addition, co-star John Corbett will return. Corbett played the non-Greek Toula married in the original, a decision that set the drama of the entire first film into motion. That first film, which scored writer/star Nia Vardalos an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and led to the launch of a short-lived CBS sitcom (My Big Fat Greek Life), is looking to go back to the wedding well once again...

The plot for the sequel reportedly "involves the reveal of a family secret and a new wedding, described as bigger and fatter, that brings the Greek clan together again."

In addition to Vardalos and Corbett, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson will also return to produce the film. It was Wilson who helped get the original film made in the first place after seeing Vardalos's one-woman play of the same name in the late 90s. Vardalos hasn't exactly been hurting for work recently, with appearances on Grey's Anatomy and a high-profile arc on Law & Order: SVU, along with the release of a poignant book detailing on her experience in the adoption process titled Instant Mom. However, there has long been desire for a sequel among fans of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

As Vardalos explains in a statement, "Now that I'm experiencing motherhood, I'm ready to write the next chapter of my family story." She goes on to add, "Of course a few jaded folks in the press corps will claim I ran out of money or just want to kiss John Corbett again. One of these things is true."

I've had the pleasure of speaking to Vardalos before, and she's every bit as incisive and down-to-Earth as the characters she portrays. Even though the sequel will be taking on well-worn territory, I have every confidence she'll be able to bring something new, yet still relatable, to moviegoers.

Via: HitFix

Credit: IFC Films