The third installment of the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise has not only been announced, but it has also recently begun filming. The first film, which was released in 2002, was written by and starred Nia Vardalos. Vardalos played Toula Portokalos, a Greek-American woman living with her family in Chicago who falls in love with a non-Greek man, Ian Miller (John Corbett).
The film was a critical and commercial hit, with Vardalos earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, was released in 2016 to mediocre critical reception. Here is everything to know so far about the newest installment in Toula and Ian's story!
Production Has Begun
On June 21st, Nia Vardalos posted a video on Instagram announcing that production has started on My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. The video would come to reveal a number of other intriguing details about the production, but first things first, fans can take comfort in the fact that the third film is finally happening.
The third film was initially announced to be in development in April 2021. Production was delayed as a result of the pandemic; however, fans of the franchise will not have to wait as long as they had to between the first two films. My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 was released almost 15 years after the release of the first movie. The third film will likely be released 6-7 years after the second.
They Are Filming in Greece
The second big announcement in Nia Vardalos's Instagram post was the reveal that production not only has started but that they are also filming in Greece. Vardalos made her announcement from a small room above the location where the crew was shooting in Athens.
Although there are numerous references to Greece throughout the first two films, this will be the first time that audiences will see the Portokalos family visit the country in person. In the second film, the family is visited by Toula's uncle from Greece, Panos Portokalos (played by Mark Margolis, of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul fame). In this film, it looks like the Portokalos family will be making the trip this time.
Nia Vardalos Is Directing
The third significant piece of information revealed in Vardalos's video began with a sort of easter egg. Vardalos wanted to teach her fans the Greek word for director. She then quipped, "Guess who the director is? It's me!" Although Vardalos has written each prior film, this will be the first time that she will direct a My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie.
Vardalos has directed before. Her directorial debut came in 2009 with the film I Hate Valentine's Day. The romantic comedy was also based upon a script Vardalos had written and reunited her with John Corbett. Although the story itself was entirely separate from the My Big Fat Greek Wedding world, one could argue that it is a "sister film" as it features the same writer and same two romantic leads.
The Same Production Companies Are Involved
The caption to Vardalos's June 21st post included a thank you message to Playtone, Gold Circle Films, HBO, and Focus, who are backing the film. The only new company to join the team behind this installment is Focus, while the other three companies have been working with Vardalos from the very beginning.
In fact, the first film initially had its roots as a one-woman play written and performed by Vardalos. When Rita Wilson saw the production, she convinced her husband Tom Hanks to see it, and eventually, his production company (Playtone) helped bring the project to fruition.
There Will Be Another Wedding
It has been announced that there will be another "Big Fat Greek Wedding" in this movie, but there has been no official announcement yet as to which characters are getting married. According to Deadline sources have claimed the bride of the wedding will be Toula and Ian's daughter, Paris (Elena Kampouris).
Paris was first introduced in the 2016 sequel, in which her split decision about where she wants to go to college led to inner conflict within the family mostly between Paris and her mother. Ultimately, that film ended with Paris's decision to move away to New York and attend NYU. Perhaps during her time there, she met her love interest for this film!
Toula and Ian Will Not Be Grandparents
On September 30th 2021, Nia Vardalos confirmed on Instagram that the script for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was complete. She jokingly told fans to "stop calling my Mom to ask if you can be in it." She went further to add, "And no, Toula and Ian are not grandparents!"
Vardalos's response to her eager fans indicates the continued interest in this series, which serves as a reminder that the first My Big Fat Greek Wedding was one of the biggest sleeper hits of all time. Although not much else has been revealed in terms of plot, there is no doubt that plenty of fan theories will circulate online.
The Cast Has Yet To Be Confirmed
The only cast member confirmed to be involved in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is Vardalos herself. However, her Instagram post on September 30th featured fellow cast members Lainie Kazan, Gia Carides, and Louis Mandylor. Given their gathering, it is likely that these actors will return for the third film.
In fact, nearly every actor in the main and supporting cast of the first film returned for the second. Furthermore, John Corbett, also known for his role as Aidan on Sex and the City, has collaborated with Nia Vardalos several times; it would be a shock if he didn't come back. Hopefully, Andrea Martin will also return as the hilarious Aunt Voula.
The Film Will Be Dedicated To Michael Constantine
Nia Vardalos has stated that My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 will be dedicated to Michael Constantine, who brilliantly portrayed Toula's father, Gus, in the first two films. Constantine died on August 31st, 2021 at the age of 94. Vardalos got together with a few of her fellow actors from the franchise as a tribute to his memory.
Vardalos stated on Instagram that Constantine "had told me he wouldn't be able to join us for the third film and his wish was that we go on." She also added that she "wrote the screenplay to reflect Michael's decision and will always treasure his last messages to me." Part of what has made this franchise successful is the authenticity of Nia Vardalos's story and characters. The family that fans know and love on screen seems to extend behind the scenes as well.