The Best Man Series: What's Next?

will there be another best man series

The Best Man franchise, which began in 1999 with the cult classic film of the same name, has come to an end with the release of The Best Man: The Final Chapters. The limited series, which premiered on Peacock in December 2022, reunited the original cast and served as a conclusion to the story of these friends. While there were rumours of a third film following the success of The Best Man and its 2013 sequel, The Best Man Holiday, creator and director Malcolm D. Lee confirmed that he has no plans to continue the franchise. Lee expressed that he originally intended to make four movies but faced challenges with scheduling and financing. He also shared that he no longer has any other stories to tell within this world, suggesting that The Best Man: The Final Chapters truly marks the end of the series.

Characteristics Values
Name of series The Best Man: The Final Chapters
Number of episodes 8
Streaming platform Peacock
Date of release 22nd of December 2022
Cast Morris Chestnut, Melissa De Sousa, Taye Diggs, Regina Hall, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Nia Long, Harold Perrineau
Director Malcolm D. Lee
Writer Malcolm D. Lee and Dayna Lynne North
Producer Sean Daniel, Dominique Telson, Malcolm D. Lee, Dayna Lynne North
Number of seasons 1

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The Best Man: The Final Chapters

"The Best Man: The Final Chapters" is an eight-episode limited series that premiered on Peacock on December 22, 2022. The series is a follow-up to the popular romantic drama film franchise of the same name, which includes the 1999 film "The Best Man" and its 2013 sequel "The Best Man Holiday".

"The Best Man: The Final Chapters" reunites the original cast, including Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Melissa De Sousa, Sanaa Lathan, Regina Hall, and Harold Perrineau. The series catches up with the characters as they navigate the unpredictable stages of midlife crises and renaissance, with evolving relationships and resurfacing past grievances.

In the series, Harper, Robyn, Jordan, Lance, Quentin, Shelby, Candace, and Murch find themselves in the sandwich years, dealing with kids on one side and their parents on the other. They are evolving as individuals and couples, and the story explores whether they will grow together or apart and if they want different things. The characters are facing internal and external changes that come with age and are navigating the challenges of living Black lives in 2022.

Executive producer and director Malcolm D. Lee shared that he originally planned to make four movies in the franchise. However, due to scheduling and budget constraints, he decided to pivot to a limited series, allowing for more expansive storytelling. Lee has stated that he does not plan to revisit the franchise or the legacy characters, but he has not ruled out the possibility of a spinoff centred on the children of the main characters.

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The possibility of a Harper-Jordan relationship

The actors themselves, Taye Diggs and Nia Long, have shared their thoughts on the potential relationship. They agree that for the couple to work, there would have to be a "real connection" and an understanding of each other that goes beyond physical attraction. Long adds that it would also depend on "how good the sex is." They acknowledge that it would be unusual for two people with a long history as friends to end up together, but that it could be "electric" if Harper and Jordan explored a romantic relationship.

The creator and director of the franchise, Malcolm D. Lee, has stated that the possibility of a Harper-Jordan relationship is not a cliffhanger and is not enough to warrant another movie or series. He believes that it is up to the audience to decide how their story ends. However, Lee also mentions that the series is the first installment to dedicate storylines to the main characters' kids, leaving room for a potential spinoff focused on the next generation.

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The cast's thoughts on the series ending

The cast of *The Best Man* series has expressed a range of emotions and reflections as the franchise comes to a close with *The Best Man: The Final Chapters*. While some actors shared their sadness about saying goodbye to their beloved characters, others emphasised the bittersweet nature of the ending, knowing that the characters would continue to live on in the cinematic world.

Regina Hall, who plays Candy, described the experience as bittersweet, acknowledging the special nature of the project and the strong bonds forged among the cast members. Morris Chestnut, who portrays Lance, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the rarity of a project with such longevity and the genuine enjoyment of working with his talented co-stars.

Harold Perrineau, who plays Julian, added his perspective on the unique nature of the series, noting that he couldn't think of another project with the same level of continuity and familiarity among the cast. He expressed sadness about letting the characters go but acknowledged that they would always hold a special place in their hearts and the cinematic world.

Creator and director Malcolm D. Lee shared his thoughts on bringing the franchise to a close, stating that he felt good about what they had created and was pleased with the positive reception from audiences. Lee also revealed that he had always envisioned a divorce for Harper and Robyn's characters and was satisfied with Jordan's decision to prioritise her own needs and choose herself.

Lee also addressed the controversial ending of Robyn and Harper's storyline, explaining that he wanted to explore Robyn's journey of self-discovery and her struggle to find her place in her marriage and America. He emphasised the complexity of both characters, refuting the notion that either one was a villain in the story.

Overall, the cast and crew of *The Best Man* series expressed a mix of emotions as the franchise concluded, reflecting on the special nature of the project, the strong bonds formed, and the satisfaction of bringing their characters' stories to a close.

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A potential spinoff series following the kids

The Best Man: The Final Chapters is an American comedy-drama television miniseries that premiered on Peacock on December 22, 2022. The series is created by Malcolm D. Lee and developed by Lee and Dayna Lynne North. It is the final instalment of the franchise, with Lee stating that he has "closed the books" on the story.

However, there is potential for a spinoff series following the kids of the main characters. The Best Man: The Final Chapters is the first instalment of the franchise to dedicate storylines to the main characters' children, so it is the first time the audience really gets to know them. Murch and Candace's daughters, Keisha and Kelly, struggle with anxiety and perfectionism and have some triggering moments. Quentin and Shelby's daughter, Alexis, is a spoiled princess who needs a humbling dethroning. Lance's oldest child, LJ, comes out as non-binary. And there are still Lance's three other kids and Harper and Robyn's daughter to meet.

Lee has not ruled out the possibility of a spinoff series, saying, "It's possible... Maybe something inspires (it)." However, he has confirmed that he would not be involved in any hypothetical spinoff, and neither would the legacy characters.

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The challenges of making the series

The Best Man franchise has been a labour of love for creator and director Malcolm D. Lee, who has had to overcome several challenges to bring his story to life. In this article, we will explore the difficulties Lee faced in creating the series and how he successfully navigated these obstacles to deliver a compelling and culturally impactful narrative.

One of the main challenges Lee encountered was financing. After the success of the first two films, there were plans to create a third instalment, but these were delayed due to financial issues. Lee expressed frustration with the studio's reluctance to provide the necessary funds, stating that he felt he had "paid his dues" and shouldn't have to struggle to secure funding. This challenge is not uncommon in the film industry, where securing financial backing can be a significant hurdle for creators, especially for those telling diverse stories.

Another challenge Lee faced was the scheduling of the talented cast. The original film, released in 1999, showcased a group of six successful friends reuniting for a wedding. By the time plans for the third film were announced, the cast had become even more popular and in-demand, making it difficult to coordinate their schedules. This challenge is evident in Lee's statement, where he acknowledges the difficulty of mounting a movie due to "actors' schedules" and budget constraints. It is a testament to Lee's perseverance and the cast's commitment that they were able to reunite for the series.

In addition to financial and scheduling challenges, Lee also faced the daunting task of expanding the story and exploring new narrative directions. The Best Man: The Final Chapters is set years after the original film, with the characters navigating the complexities of midlife. Lee and writer Dayna Lynne North had to carefully craft storylines that would do justice to the characters' evolution while also introducing new conflicts and exploring relevant themes. This challenge is particularly notable as Lee initially planned to conclude the story with a third film, but the transition to a series format allowed for a more expansive narrative.

Lastly, the series faced the challenge of living up to the cultural impact and expectations of the original film. The Best Man was groundbreaking when it was released, portraying educated and upwardly mobile African-Americans in a positive light. Lee wanted to normalise Black life in America and present relatable characters navigating adulthood. With the series, Lee had to ensure that the story remained true to its roots while also offering something new and exciting for the audience.

Despite these challenges, The Best Man: The Final Chapters successfully concluded the franchise, providing a satisfying conclusion for fans and a celebratory send-off for the beloved characters.

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Frequently asked questions

Malcolm D. Lee, the creator, has said that he has "closed the books" on the franchise and has no plans to continue the story. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of a spinoff series focused on the children of the main characters.

A third Best Man movie was announced and the entire original cast signed on, but it faced delays and ultimately did not come to fruition.

Peacock ordered a 10-episode limited series titled The Best Man: The Final Chapters, which was released on December 22, 2022. The series reunited the original cast and served as a follow-up to the two movies.

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