No, you’re not dreaming. The 00’s film “Bend It Like Beckham” is finally getting a sequel after more than 20 years.
A movie that changed the game for women’s football, Bend It Like Beckham, makes its triumphant return. The 2002 film, starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley, follows a British Indian teenager who has a dream: to play football. With surrounding themes of friendship, courage and representation, the film sparked conversations with its plot. As the movie garnered positive chatter for its empowering portrayal of women in sports, it’s the deep dive into cultural identity that makes this film resonate with many.
Directed by Gurinder Chadha, she spills her confirmation on the sequel with Deadline, “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.”
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She also adds that the original cast members, including Nagra, Knightley, Archie Panjabi, Juliet Stevenson, and others, are aware that a sequel is being developed, but they want to see a script before they can commit.
While this announcement may be a win for many Bend It Like Beckham fans, Ghandra has also admitted that, “I didn’t want to do anything because I didn’t have a story. And then I 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 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.”
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When is the Bend It Like Beckham Sequel Released?
As of now, the sequel is aimed to release on screens by 2027 to mark the 25th anniversary of the film.
Who is working with Chadha on the sequel?
Chadha has had conversations with her husband, Paul Mayeda Berges, about the screenwriting process. The idea for a sequel was inspired by an encounter at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, where Chadha met Emma Hayes, the Head Coach of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. Today, sparks bloom and a sequel is on the way. We can’t wait for more details on this!
