Will There Ever Be A Bridesmaids 2?

The 2011 comedy blockbuster Bridesmaids has left fans wondering if there will ever be a sequel. The film grossed over $169 million at the North American box office and elevated the careers of its stars, including Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy. Despite the success of the first movie, a Bridesmaids sequel is unlikely to happen. Director Paul Feig and co-writer and star Kristen Wiig have both expressed their reluctance to pursue a second film, citing the conclusive ending of the original and their desire to explore new creative projects. While some cast members have expressed interest in a reunion, the unlikelihood of a sequel has been confirmed by Wiig and Mumolo, who feel they have already told the story they wanted to tell.

Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo aren't interested in a sequel

In 2021, Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo revealed that they were not interested in writing a sequel to "Bridesmaids". The pair, who co-wrote the 2011 blockbuster comedy, explained that they felt they had already told the story and were eager to pursue other creative projects.

"We have other ideas," Wiig said on "SiriusXM Town Hall" in 2021. "We feel like we told that story and we were just so excited to do other things," she added, with Mumolo echoing this sentiment, stating, "It takes years to get movies made. And 'Bridesmaids' took many years to get made, and because it takes so many years, [we] felt like we purged that out of us."

The success of "Bridesmaids" significantly raised the profiles of both Wiig and Mumolo, with Wiig starring in dozens of movies and TV shows since, including "The Martian", "Zoolander 2", "Anchorman 2", "MacGruber", and "Wonder Woman 1984". Mumolo, meanwhile, has appeared in films such as "This Is 40", "Afternoon Delight", "The Boss", "Bad Moms", and "Queenpins".

Despite their reluctance to return to "Bridesmaids", Wiig and Mumolo have reunited for other projects. In 2021, they co-wrote and co-starred in the comedy film "Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar", which was originally planned as a spin-off of "Bridesmaids", featuring the mothers of the bride, Lillian, and her friend. The pair have also announced that they will write a Disney live-action musical comedy centred on the evil stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella from "Cinderella".

While Wiig and Mumolo have expressed their disinterest in a sequel, other cast members have shared their thoughts on a potential "Bridesmaids 2". Wendi McLendon-Covey, who played Rita in the film, told Us Weekly in 2021 that "there is no sequel", while Maya Rudolph, who portrayed the bride-to-be Lillian, expressed enthusiasm for revisiting the "Bridesmaids" world in the distant future, suggesting it could be called "'Old Ladies' or something". Rose Byrne, who played Helen, has also expressed measured enthusiasm, suggesting that the cast could "do a different movie together. A re-imagining of something."

Director Paul Feig doesn't think a sequel would work

Director Paul Feig has shot down the possibility of a "Bridesmaids" sequel, explaining that the original movie worked so well because it centred on a woman experiencing a crisis in her life and fixing it. He believes that revisiting the story without a well-thought-out narrative would feel inauthentic and result in a letdown.

Feig acknowledges that a sequel could be fun, but he emphasises the importance of emotional engagement in the original film, which centred on the main character, Annie, going through a difficult time and healing herself. He suggests that a sequel would need to explore a new narrative arc for the character to be meaningful.

Feig also highlights the challenge of creating a compelling narrative for a potential "Bridesmaids 2". He points out that the original film concluded with Annie's character healing and resolving her central issues. As a result, it would be unrealistic for her life to take another sudden dip, encountering similar problems.

While Feig leaves the possibility of a sequel open, he believes that it would require a well-crafted story that goes beyond a typical comedy sequel. He suggests that the sequel should have a strong emotional core, stating:

> "It would have to be something that you can emotionally engage in again and not just go, 'It's Megan's crazy wedding in the Bahamas!' and all kinds of hijinks happen."

Feig's perspective on a potential "Bridesmaids 2" emphasises the importance of a meaningful narrative and the challenge of creating a compelling sequel that builds upon the original story without feeling repetitive or inauthentic.

The cast have become much bigger stars since the original

Since the release of the original "Bridesmaids" movie in 2011, the cast members have gone on to achieve greater success in their careers. The film elevated the profiles of its director, Paul Feig, and star/co-writer, Kristen Wiig. Feig went on to direct popular comedies such as "The Heat", "Spy", and "Ghostbusters", the latter of which starred "Bridesmaids" cast members Melissa McCarthy and Wiig. Wiig herself has starred in numerous movies and TV shows, including "The Martian", "Zoolander 2", "Anchorman 2", and "Wonder Woman 1984". She has also co-written other films, such as "Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar", alongside her "Bridesmaids" co-writer Annie Mumolo.

Melissa McCarthy, who played Megan in "Bridesmaids", scored an Oscar nomination for her performance and became an A-list movie star. She has since headlined successful comedies and earned another Oscar nomination for the drama "Can You Ever Forgive Me?". Rose Byrne, who played Helen, has also become a big star, with roles in comedies like "Neighbors" and acclaimed series like "Physical".

Other cast members have also found success outside of "Bridesmaids". Ellie Kemper, for example, has gone on to star in popular shows like "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt". Maya Rudolph, who played the bride-to-be Lillian, has had a successful career in comedy, with roles in "Big Mouth" and "Saturday Night Live". Wendi McLendon-Covey, who played Rita, has appeared in various films and TV shows, including "The Goldbergs" and "The Breakfast Club". Rebel Wilson, who was also part of the ensemble cast, has become well-known for her roles in comedies like "Pitch Perfect" and "Senior Year".

A spiritual sequel with the same cast but different characters could work

A spiritual sequel to Bridesmaids with the same cast but different characters could be the best way to deliver a follow-up to the 2011 comedy. The original film was a huge success, grossing over $280 million at the worldwide box office and earning Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Melissa McCarthy. It also elevated the movie careers of its stars, including Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and McCarthy.

Despite the success of the first movie, a Bridesmaids sequel is not in the works. Director Paul Feig has said a sequel isn't likely, explaining that the plot of the first film centred on Wiig's character, Annie, having a crisis in her life and fixing it. He believes that revisiting the story without a new narrative arc would feel inauthentic and could result in a letdown. Wiig and co-writer Annie Mumolo have also said they are not interested in writing a sequel, feeling that they have already told that story and are excited to work on other projects.

However, the idea of a spiritual sequel is not without merit. The ensemble cast was one of the reasons the original film worked so well, and each of the actors has gone on to become even bigger stars. A new film featuring the same cast but in different roles could be a way to recapture the magic of the first film while avoiding the typical pitfalls of comedy sequels. It would also allow the creators to tell a fresh story with new characters and avoid the challenge of trying to recreate the unique narrative arc of the original.

While a Bridesmaids sequel may not be in the cards, a spiritual sequel could be a creative way to bring the cast back together and deliver a new and exciting comedy for audiences to enjoy.

Melissa McCarthy is keen for a sequel

Melissa McCarthy has expressed her enthusiasm for a "Bridesmaids" sequel. In 2023, she told People that she would do a "Bridesmaids" sequel "this afternoon, right now" and described the group of women in the film as "the most magical thing ever". McCarthy's eagerness for a sequel contrasts with the sentiments of her co-stars Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who have politely refused to entertain the idea, stating that they feel like they "told that story" and are excited to pursue other creative projects.

McCarthy's breakout role in "Bridesmaids" earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, elevating her to A-list movie star status. Her portrayal of Megan, the foul-mouthed but friendly sister of the groom, was a highlight of the film, with nearly all the scenes featuring her described as "laugh-out-loud funny". McCarthy's performance in "Bridesmaids" showcased her comedic talent and solidified her place in the industry.

While there has been speculation about a potential "Bridesmaids 2", the film's director, Paul Feig, has also shot down the idea. He believes that the first film worked so well because it focused on a woman experiencing a crisis and overcoming it, and that revisiting the story without a thoughtful new narrative would feel inauthentic. Feig has stated that a sequel would need to be emotionally engaging and not just rely on hijinks or a crazy wedding.

Despite the unlikelihood of a direct sequel, there has been some discussion of a potential spinoff movie. Producer Judd Apatow has previously created new films set in the worlds of his other projects, and McCarthy's memorable portrayal of Megan could be an obvious choice for a standalone film. While a "Bridesmaids" sequel may not be in the cards, the impact of the film and McCarthy's performance continues to resonate with audiences.

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