Buckle up for the 'Bend It Like Beckham' sequel that’s finally happening

In 2002, a quiet, unassuming film exploded into cult-status. Now, more than two decades later, director Gurinder Chadha confirmed that a sequel to Bend It Like Beckham is finally in the works, slated for an early 2027 release, coinciding with the film’s 25th anniversary.

Millenial nostalgia

Bend It Like Beckham was a fresh and original take on two aspiring female footballers in the UK. It followed the story of Parminder Nagra, who played Jess, a British-Indian girl who had to balance her traditional Indian-girl duties with her unconventional dreams of being a football star. Enter Jules (Keira Knightley), who expands her horizons with her unwavering friendship and encouragement. The movie was sweet and hopeful, ending with both on their way to the US to forge their professional football careers.

There’s no time like the present to revive the film. Not only is women’s football gaining prominence globally, but the film still enjoys a steadfast fan following. It seems that a meeting at Cannes between Chadha and Emma Hayes, a head coach in the US, sparked the idea of a potential sequel, and they’re both now working on it in collaboration. 

The plot thickens

The sequel news broke via Deadline one day before the Euros final. While details about the plotline are yet to emerge, Chadha revealed that she didn’t want to begin working on the sequel until she was sure she had a good story. She added that the original cast is aware of the sequel, but we’re yet to learn if they will be making a comeback to reprise their roles.

The original film was uplifting and conveyed a clear message: girls can do absolutely anything they put their mind to, regardless of societal norms. It was based on a screenplay Chadha co-wrote with Guljit Bindra and her husband, Paul Mayeda Berges. She hopes to repeat the process with Berges this time around as well, relying on him for his witty one-liners just like the first time around.

While this is the latest movie in a series of seriously popular classics that are getting a Gen Z revamp and can certainly be a little controversial, given the excitement surrounding women’s football today, perhaps this is one movie that would do well with a fresh spin. 

Photo credit: Getty 

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