Big Fat Greek Wedding 3: Will The Family Reunite Again?

Yes, they are! My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was released in 2023, written and directed by Nia Vardalos, who also stars as Toula Portokalos. The film follows the Portokalos family as they travel to Greece for a family reunion in the wake of the death of the family patriarch, Gus Portokalos. The film received generally negative reviews from critics but grossed $39 million worldwide.

The film's exploration of grief and family

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is the third instalment in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding film series, written and directed by Nia Vardalos. The film centres on the Portokalos family as they grapple with grief following the death of the family patriarch, Gus Portokalos.

The film begins with the family receiving an invitation from Victory, a distant relative and the mayor of Gus' hometown, to attend a family reunion in Greece. The reunion, however, turns out to be a ruse, as Victory hopes that the Portokalos family will help revive the village. Despite this, the family stays and continues their original plan.

The film explores the various ways in which the family members process their grief and navigate their relationships with each other. For example, Nick, who has recently separated from his partner, returns home and displays immature behaviour. Athena and her husband, Yiannis, are dealing with the challenges of caring for Maria, who is battling dementia. Toula, the daughter of the deceased patriarch, attempts to locate her father's childhood friends and fulfil his wishes by scattering his ashes in Greece.

The film also touches on the theme of family dynamics and the challenges of parenthood. Toula and her husband, Ian, face the struggles of parenthood as their daughter, Paris, deals with the responsibilities of college and a romantic relationship. The film highlights the importance of family support and the role of extended family in navigating life's challenges.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 showcases the complexities of family relationships, the grieving process, and the importance of cultural traditions and family history. It offers a heartwarming and humorous portrayal of a family navigating loss, change, and the dynamics of extended family gatherings.

The return of beloved characters

The Portokalos family is back for the third instalment of the beloved My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise. Nia Vardalos reprises her role as the film's writer, director, and star, leading the audience through a heartwarming and hilarious trip full of love, twists, and turns.

Vardalos is joined by John Corbett, who plays her on-screen husband, Ian Miller. The couple is happily married but facing the challenges of parenthood as their daughter, Paris (Elena Kampouris), struggles with the responsibility of college. Paris also deals with confusing feelings stirred up by her college-mate, Aristotle (Elias Kacavas), which could affect her relationship with Bennet from the previous film.

Louis Mandylor returns as Toula's brother, Nick Portokalos, who comes home after separating from his partner and displays immature behaviour. Nick also brings his father's ashes to Greece, intending to scatter them per his father's wishes.

The audience will also see the return of Lainie Kazan as the matriarch, Maria Portokalos, and Andrea Martin as the beloved Aunt Voula. Joey Fatone reprises his role as Cousin Angelo, and Gia Carides returns as Cousin Nikki.

The third film introduces new characters, including Melina Kotselou as Victory, the mayor of Gus' hometown, and Stephanie Nur as Qamar, Alexandra's assistant.

With the same delightful family comedy and joy that made the first two films stand out, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is a welcome addition to the franchise, taking audiences on a journey of grief, family, and cultural connections.

New additions to the cast

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 sees the return of several cast members from the first two films, including Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Lainie Kazan, and Andrea Martin. However, due to the death of Michael Constantine in 2021, the third film features several new cast members.

Elena Kampouris joins the cast as Paris Miller, the daughter of Ian and Toula. Paris is a college student who is struggling with the responsibilities of college life, unknown to her happily married parents.

Elias Kacavas plays Aristotle, Aunt Voula's assistant, who is also a college-mate of Paris.

Melina Kotselou portrays Victory, a distant relative of the Portokalos family and the mayor of Gus' hometown, Vrisi. She invites the family to Greece for a supposed reunion, but ultimately confesses that she hopes the family will help to revive the village.

Anthi Andreopoulou plays Alexandra, Gus' old flame, whom the family meets in Vrisi. Alexandra has a son, Peter, played by Alexis Georgoulis, who is the son of Gus, and a grandson, Christos, played by Giannis Vasilottos. Stephanie Nur joins the cast as Qamar, Alexandra's assistant.

Other new cast members include Stavroula Logothettis as Athena Portokalos, Jayne Eastwood as Mrs. White, Kathryn Greenwood as Marge, and Tannis Burnett as Edie.

Nia Vardalos' direction

Nia Vardalos is a Canadian actress and screenwriter. She wrote and starred in the original My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which was released in 2002. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Vardalos several award nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Writing and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Vardalos made her directorial debut in 2009 with the independent feature I Hate Valentine's Day. She also wrote and directed My Life in Ruins, which was the first American production given permission to film at the Acropolis of Athens.

In 2023, Vardalos reprised her role as Toula Portakalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, which she also wrote and directed. The film was released on September 8, 2023, in the United States by Focus Features. It received generally negative reviews from critics, with a 29% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and has grossed $39 million worldwide.

In the film, the Portokalos family grapples with grief after the death of their patriarch, Gus Portokalos. The family travels to Greece for a reunion, where they meet distant relatives and old flames. The film also explores the challenges of parenthood, as Toula and Ian's daughter, Paris, struggles with the responsibilities of college.

Vardalos has also written and starred in other films, including Connie and Carla and Larry Crowne. She has had numerous acting credits, including roles in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin. In addition to her work in film and television, Vardalos is a New York Times bestselling author of the memoir Instant Mom and a playwright.

The film's setting in Greece

The 2023 film My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was largely filmed in Greece. Principal photography took place in Athens, with additional filming on the island of Corfu. The film's plot sees the Portokalos family travel to Greece after the death of their patriarch, Gus Portokalos. They arrive in Athens, where they are greeted by Victory, the mayor of Gus' hometown, Vrisi. The family then travels to Vrisi, where they find Gus' childhood home. The following day, they visit a nearby town, where Toula searches for Gus' childhood friends. Later in the film, Toula and Ian meet Peter, the son of Gus' old flame, Alexandra, as well as his own son, Christos. The family also scatters Gus' ashes around the oldest tree in Vrisi.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is a bustling city with a rich history and culture. The film's depiction of Athens showcases the city's modern and ancient attractions, including the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and the Plaka neighbourhood. The family's visit to Vrisi highlights the beauty of Greece's smaller towns and villages, often located in picturesque settings. The film also briefly touches on Greek culture and traditions, such as the importance of family and the role of food and music in Greek life.

Corfu, the filming location for large portions of the film, is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is known for its stunning natural landscapes, including pristine beaches, lush mountains, and picturesque villages. The Old Town of Corfu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features narrow cobblestone streets, Venetian architecture, and historic landmarks such as the Palace of St. George and St. Spyridon Church. The island's natural beauty and cultural significance make it a popular tourist destination and a sought-after filming location.

The film also briefly mentions the island of Syros, where Toula and her family locate one of Gus' childhood friends. Syros is the capital of the Cyclades archipelago and is known for its picturesque towns, stunning beaches, and rich cultural heritage. The film's portrayal of Greece captures the country's diverse landscapes, vibrant culture, and the importance of family and tradition.

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