Jamie Dornan Shares Updates on Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar Sequel

Jamie Dornan shared his thoughts on the potential sequel to Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar. The comedy film, which was released directly to VOD in 2021 due to global theater closures at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, centered on the misadventures of best friends Barb and Star as they faced off against the villainous Sharon Fisherman. Sharon's bumbling accomplice, Edgar, portrayed by Dornan, unexpectedly found himself falling for Star amidst the chaos.

In a recent interview with Collider while promoting The Tourist season 2, Jamie Dornan discussed the prospects of a sequel to Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar. Despite having preliminary discussions with Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, the film's release challenges during the pandemic complicated the path forward. Dornan acknowledged that wider viewership at the time would have facilitated easier conversations regarding a sequel, but expressed his willingness to collaborate with Wiig and Mumolo if the opportunity arises.

I have had discussions with Kristen and Annie about the possibility of a Barb and Star sequel. Despite the unfortunate timing of the movie's release during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has still managed to find a dedicated audience. However, the lack of a cinematic release due to closed theaters has made it challenging for more people to discover and appreciate the film. I believe that if more viewers had the chance to see it under better circumstances, there would be greater enthusiasm for a sequel. The potential for endless adventures with Barb, Star, and Edgar excites me, and I am eager to explore new possibilities with the talented team. I remain hopeful and persistent in my efforts to make a sequel happen, as it would be a fantastic opportunity that I would wholeheartedly embrace.

Barb and Star walk through the hotel lobby in Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar - Could a Barb and Star Sequel Actually Happen?

According to Jamie Dornan, the initial Barb and Star movie faced challenges due to the complex distribution period during its release. The lack of transparency in VOD numbers makes it hard to determine its financial success compared to traditional box office results. The movie only earned $32,825 from a limited release in select international markets. Since the official budget remains undisclosed, the studio's hesitance to reveal the figures suggests that it may not have recouped its costs through VOD sales.

While the 2021 comedy movie was a critical success, its distribution model also rendered it ineligible for many major awards. If it had been given a proper theatrical release, the movie could have been an especially strong contender in screenplay, costuming, makeup, and production design categories in addition to a possible Best Original Song nod for the surprise musical number "Edgar's Prayer." While broad comedy movies don't always have major traction during awards season, Wiig and Mumolo's previous comedy movie Bridesmaids was nominated for two Oscars, setting a strong precedent for Barb and Star.

In spite of the forces preventing Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar from becoming a major hit, a sequel is still a possibility if it continues to grow its cult audience on VOD. The movie is a critical success with a Certified Fresh 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a Generally Favorable score on Metacritic. If reviews can keep driving more viewers to the movie, it could potentially build up enough steam for a sequel to seem like a stronger financial prospect.

Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar is available on VOD on platforms including Apple TV, Google Play, Vudu, and Prime Video.

Source: Collider

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the challenges faced by the comedy film "Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar" due to its VOD release during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the film received critical acclaim, its limited viewership and ineligibility for major awards hindered its potential success. Despite these setbacks, actor Jamie Dornan remains hopeful for a sequel, recognizing the film's unique charm and the potential for further adventures with its quirky characters.

The article also sheds light on the complexities of VOD distribution, which can make it difficult to determine a film's financial performance compared to traditional box office releases. However, the continued positive reviews and growing cult audience on VOD suggest that "Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar" may yet find its footing and pave the way for a sequel.