The only thing surprising about this news is that it hasn't come sooner, but it looks like a sequel to the summer's smash hit comedy, Girls Trip, is in the works. Or at least super producer Will Packer is keen on making it happen. He tells Vulture...
“We’re definitely talking about it. The only thing harder than opening a studio comedy today is opening a studio comedy sequel. [Laughs.] That’s the next challenge. I love our team. If anybody can do it, we can do it. It’s still a little early — the movie is still in theaters — but it’s something we’ve all thought about."
Girls Trip has been the breakout movie of the summer season, becoming the first film to surpass $100M to be completely produced, written, directed by, and starring African-Americans. All of that was accomplished on just a $19M budget, also, which is the kind of return any studio would kill for. So you can bet that Jada Pinkett-Smith, Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, and scene-stealer Tiffany Haddish will be back for more.
Packer also made it known that there were some within Universal who had reservations about the movie working. While that doesn't shock me in the least that a comedy featuring black women would be met with obstacles, you'd think Packer's track record would speak for itself. This is the guy who practically made a star out of Kevin Hart with his Think Like A Man and Ride Along movies...
“Universal was extremely supportive of this idea for a movie. Especially Donna Langley, the chairwoman. She was somebody who got it, right away. There were conversations, once you get into the specifics of development, around if there’s a ‘broader version’ of the film. This type of film starring these women had not been done before to this level of success, not as a comedy. But knowing this audience, I know the value of this audience, and I pushed them really hard with the studio. ‘We can do this, and we can do this with these actors, because that’s the most authentic version of the movie.’ And, ultimately, they agreed.”
Don't be surprised if Girls Trip 2 is already in theaters by this time next year. Just don't send them to Vegas for the sequel, okay? That never works.
