Director Gurinder Chadha has announced that a sequel to the iconic 2002 movie, “Bend It Like Beckham”, is in the works.
The original film follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a young British-Indian woman who is passionate about football despite her traditional Sikh family’s disapproval.
The film explores themes of cultural identity, gender roles, family expectations and following one’s dreams.
She secretly joins a local women’s team, where she befriends Jules (Keira Knightley) and falls for their coach, Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers).
The ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ sequel is finally in the works over 20 years after the movie first came out.
Chadha was reported online saying: “I’m excited to revisit the original characters and revive the enduring story and build on the legacy we helped to create for the women’s game.
She added that Nagra, Knightley, Archie Panjabi, Juliet Stevenson and other members of the original cast “are aware that a sequel is being developed, but they obviously want to see a script before they commit”.
“I’m pretty certain that everyone’s going to want to come back.”
The director said that for 23 years, she didn’t have a story to tell; however, just a month ago, she came up with a “great story”.
“Really super-cool story. So now I’m inspired. Literally came up with it just about a month ago. It’s my very clear wish to bring the characters back very, very soon. Women’s football is more competitive, more exciting and more global than ever. It is an honour for me to be a small part of it.”
Director Gurinder Chadha.
One of the most exciting aspects of this sequel is its planned release in 2027, which will mark 25 years since the first film opened in the UK.
That year is also extra special, as it coincides with the FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place in Brazil from June 24 to July 25.
Chadha reminisced about the original film, describing it as a story that encouraged girls everywhere to pursue their dreams, despite what society may dictate.
As “Bend It Like Beckham 2” joins a list of other popular early-2000s movies getting sequels, such as “The Devil Wears Prada” and “Freaky Friday”, fans are more eager than ever to see how Jess and Jules’s journey will unfold this time around.
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