With “Best Man Holiday” surpassing all expectations at the box office, Universal is looking to keep the money rolling with a sequel.
Malcolm D. Lee is in currently talks to helm a third film in the franchise according to The Hollywood Reporter. He would write and direct another comedy ensemble, as well as produce with Sean Daniel.
“Best Man Holiday” was a reunion between Lee and the cast of “The Best Man,” the 1999 film that starredTaye Diggs, Terrence Howard, Nia Long and Monica Calhoun, among others.
The movie was made for $17 million but opened to $30.1 million at the box office this weekend. That’s the fifth-largest opening for an R-rated romantic comedy, the second-highest opening for an urban romantic comedy and the sixth-biggest opening for an urban-themed film overall. It also received an A+ CinemaScore across all quadrants.
Deadline.com’s Mike Fleming Jr. writes: “No word yet on locking in the ensemble cast. I don’t believe they have options on a third film, so clearly all of them will be looking for pay bumps. First, Lee has to write it. It took 14 years for Lee to come back with a sequel, but this one is going to happen much more quickly. He is rewriting to direct an untitled project for Fox Searchlight, but this clearly becomes a priority project for Universal.”
via EURWeb
