Monica Calhoun's Departure: Best Man's Loss Explored

Actress Monica Calhoun is best known for her role in the Best Man movie franchise. In the 2013 sequel, The Best Man Holiday, Calhoun's character Mia dies from cancer. Director Malcolm D. Lee explained that he wanted to tell a story that would evoke emotion from Black audiences, and Mia's death was a meaningful way to do so. Calhoun has also appeared in The Players Club and the web series Diary of a Single Mom. In addition to her acting career, she is a devoted mother to her son, who has special needs and is visually impaired.

Mia's death in 'The Best Man Holiday'

Mia's death in "The Best Man Holiday" left fans of the franchise devastated. Mia, played by Monica Calhoun, dies at the end of the film, leaving her on-screen husband, Lance, played by Morris Chestnut, to deal with the emotional fallout.

In an interview, writer and director Malcolm D. Lee revealed that Mia's death was a creative decision he made due to his personal connection to cancer. He said:

> "We've both been affected by cancer, her mom and her dad. I wanted to really tell a story where Black folks got to emote at the movie theater. We don't get a chance to do that very often, so I wanted it to happen, and it wasn't going to happen with any other character as much as it would with Mia. That was the most meaningful one, which is why I think it hurt so much."

Lee acknowledged that some viewers still haven't forgiven him for the tragic twist, but he stands by his decision to take audiences on a grief journey.

Mia's death from cancer significantly impacted the narrative arc of the film and its characters. It provided an opportunity for the exploration of grief and emotional vulnerability, particularly within the context of longstanding friendships and relationships.

The loss of Mia also set the stage for potential new storylines and character development in the subsequent limited series, "The Best Man: Final Chapters." In an interview, Chestnut hinted that Lance would explore new love interests in the series, acknowledging the possibility that someone new could catch his attention.

Mia's death by cancer

In an interview, director Malcolm D. Lee explained that he chose Mia as the character to die because he wanted to tell a story that would resonate with Black audiences and allow them to express their emotions in a way that is not often portrayed in films. Lee shared that both he and his wife, Camille, had been affected by cancer through their parents, and he wanted to explore this difficult topic on screen.

Mia's death serves as a catalyst for exploring the characters' grief and emotional journeys in the film. Lee acknowledged that some viewers were devastated by Mia's death and have not forgiven him for it. However, he stands by his decision, believing that Mia's death provided an opportunity for meaningful storytelling and emotional depth.

The impact of Mia's death is further explored in the limited series The Best Man: Final Chapters, which premiered in December 2022. The series delves into the lives of the original characters, including Lance, as they navigate new relationship challenges, reoccurring grievances, and life-changing decisions. While Monica Calhoun's character Mia does not return, there is speculation about possible flashback appearances or new love interests for Lance.

Despite the sadness surrounding Mia's death, the franchise continues to evolve and explore the complex lives of its characters, providing an opportunity for audiences to connect and empathize with their journeys.

Mia's death affected Lance's character development

Mia's death had a profound impact on Lance's character development in "The Best Man" franchise. In the 2013 sequel, "The Best Man Holiday", Lance, played by Morris Chestnut, is put through an emotional roller coaster following the death of his wife, Mia (Monica Calhoun), from cancer.

Lance's grief and struggle to cope with the loss of his partner are briefly touched upon in the film, but the upcoming limited series "The Best Man: The Final Chapters" promises to delve deeper into his character's journey. In an interview, Chestnut revealed that the series would explore Lance's emotional struggles and how he deals with the aftermath of Mia's death. He hinted that Lance might go too far in his attempt to cope, suggesting a possible new love interest for the character.

Mia's death not only affected Lance's personal life but also impacted his relationships with the other characters in the series. As the group of friends reunites amid midlife crises and evolving relationships, past grievances resurface. It will be interesting to see how Lance's character evolves as he navigates his grief and the challenges of midlife.

While Monica Calhoun's character Mia passed away in the sequel, there is a possibility that she might make a flashback appearance in "The Best Man: The Final Chapters." The limited series will focus on the original characters' unfinished stories while introducing new roles.

Mia's death served a significant narrative purpose, as explained by writer and director Malcolm D. Lee. He shared that he wanted to tell a story that allowed Black audiences to emote and connect with the characters' grief. Lee's personal experience with cancer, which affected both his mother and father, influenced his decision to explore this theme in the film.

Monica Calhoun's life as a mother

Actress Monica Calhoun, best known for her roles in films such as "The Best Man" and "Bagdad Cafe", is a doting mother to her son. In an interview, she revealed that she puts her family first. Her son, born in 2000, is her only child and has special needs. He is visually impaired, and so is Calhoun's brother. The actress often shares glimpses of her life with her son on social media, where she has over 160,000 followers. She has shared pictures of them attending events and concerts together, as well as celebrating his birthdays and other milestones.

Calhoun has embraced her role as a mother and has not let her son's challenges hold her back from achieving her dreams or enjoying her life. She has shared her passion for self-love and inner beauty, emphasising the importance of exuding beauty from within. In an interview with MyTime Movie Network, she revealed that she loves reading, writing, and spending time with her son.

While Calhoun has continued to act, she has slowed down in the industry, and her son may be a reason for this. She appeared in the 2013 film "The Best Man Holiday", in which her character, Mia, is a wife and mother. In the film, Mia is terminally ill and dies at the end, which was a devastating turn of events for fans of the franchise.

Despite her successful career, Monica Calhoun has shown that her true priority is her son, and she continues to embrace motherhood and all that comes with it.

Calhoun's excitement for a third film

In a 2014 interview, Monica Calhoun expressed her excitement at the prospect of a third "Best Man" film, stating, "I heard they are doing a third film, and I think there is definitely a story to be told." She went on to praise the ensemble cast and express confidence that the third instalment would be "absolutely phenomenal" and "worth the price of a babysitter, movie ticket, popcorn, dinner, and tip for the waitress."

Calhoun's enthusiasm for another "Best Man" film is understandable, given the success of the franchise and the impact it has had on her career. The first film, released in 1999, helped launch her into the spotlight, and she has since become known for her role as Mia Morgan.

While the third film, "The Best Man Wedding," was initially set to be released in 2016, scheduling conflicts and budget issues prevented it from entering production. However, fans were treated to a different format of the story in 2022 with the release of "The Best Man: Final Chapters," a limited series that aired on Peacock.

Although Calhoun's character, Mia, died in the 2013 sequel, "The Best Man: Holiday", there was still a possibility that she could make an appearance in the limited series. Director Malcolm D. Lee shared that they "love Monica" and that she is a "great actress." The limited series format also allowed for more exploration of the characters and their stories, which could have potentially included Mia in some capacity.

While it is unclear if Calhoun's character made a comeback in "The Best Man: Final Chapters," her excitement for a third film and her positive working relationship with the director and cast leave the door open for potential future appearances in the "Best Man" franchise.

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