Classic Sports Movie Shocks Fans with Stunning Sequel News

Summary

Gurinder Chadha, the director of Bend It Like Beckham, suggests the possibility of a sequel, drawing inspiration from the remarkable triumph of the English women's football team in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The original film's strong impact on English athletes, who credit it as their inspiration to play football, makes it worthy of a sequel that can carry on this legacy. Previous discussions about a follow-up have revolved around incorporating queer themes and exploring the potential of a lesbian storyline. The evident interest in any direction the sequel might take highlights the anticipation surrounding its development.

Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha is considering creating a sequel to the popular film. Released in 2002, the movie follows the journeys of two determined girls, Jess and Jules, as they defy their parents' disapproval to pursue careers in professional football. Bend It Like Beckham received critical acclaim for its lighthearted tone and insightful commentary on Indian culture, and it became the highest-grossing association football film, collecting $76.6 million at the box office.

Now, 21 years later, Chadha has strongly suggested that a sequel might be in the works. In a recent interview with Metro, the director shared that inspired by the Women's World Cup and the growing interest in women’s football, she is in the early stages of developing an idea for a possible follow-up. Read her full comments below:

With all the buzz surrounding the World Cup and the rise in popularity of women's football, I must admit, it never really crossed my mind before. I was never really inclined to make a sequel to the film because I believed that Parminder and Keira's performances, alongside Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Archie Panjabi, were simply irreplaceable. I doubted my ability to recreate that same magical essence. Yet, with football's recent triumphs, I find myself brewing an idea for a potential sequel.

Now Is The Perfect Time For A Bend It Like Beckham Sequel

The success of England during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup has inspired the director of Bend It Like Beckham, who co-wrote the original film, to consider a sequel. The English national team, known as the Lionesses, achieved a historic milestone by reaching the final round of the tournament for the first time ever, although they faced a heartbreaking defeat against Spain. Remarkably, some of the female players on the English team began their football journey after being inspired by Bend It Like Beckham, which has left a lasting impact. Therefore, a sequel to the film has the potential to build upon its tremendous legacy.

There has been discussion about a possible sequel to Bend It Like Beckham prior to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. The 2002 movie has gained recognition among the LGBTQ+ community for its exploration of queer themes and subtle queer elements. Keira Knightley holds the belief that Jess and Jules should have been a couple, and she has voiced enthusiasm for a lesbian-oriented Bend It Like Beckham sequel. No matter which path a potential sequel takes, it is evident that there is a strong desire to revisit the beloved characters and themes of the original film.