The third film of the Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise is to hit cinemas worldwide on 8th September. The excitement surrounding the film is palpable, and fans are eagerly looking forward to its release.
The official synopsis reads: “From writer and director Nia Vardalos, the worldwide phenomenon My Big Fat Greek Wedding is coming back to cinemas with a brand-new adventure. Join the Portokalos family as they travel to a family reunion in Greece for a heartwarming and hilarious trip full of love, twists and turns. Opa!”
The official trailer released earlier in the year, teased the fun-filled family reunion.
‘A lot has happened since my big fat Greek wedding…,’ Toula says in a voiceover. ‘My father passed away and his last wish was for us to visit his childhood village and reconnect with our roots, so we’re having a reunion.
‘And by we, I mean the whole family.’
Γάμος αλά Ελληνικά 3, in Greek.
The new single “Oli Mazi” (We Are All Together)” from the film threequel is performed by Rita Wilson and Christos Mastoras (Melisses, lead-vocalist), co-written by Rita Wilson and Diane Warren.
All of the cast are reprising their roles, including Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, Elena Kampouris, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin, Louis Mandylor, Gia Carides, Gerry Mendicino, Joey Fatone, Stavroula Logothettis, and Elias Kacavas as Aristotle.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is one of the most successful indie films of all time and star-of-the-film Nia Vardalos is the scriptwriter and director, who will reprise her “Tula” character.
Fans of the noughties film will be delighted to learn that Nia, 60, has reunited with on-screen husband John Corbett in scenes shot in Rafina.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 has been confirmed since April 2021, although production had been slowed down due to the pandemic.
The film will be dedicated to Michael Constantine, who played Toula’s father Kostas “Gus” Portokalos and who passed away in August 2021 at age of 94.
According to a post Vardalos wrote on her Instagram, Constantine knew he wouldn’t be part of the third film. “He had told me he wouldn’t be able to join us for the third film and his wish was that we go on. I wrote the screenplay to reflect Michael’s decision and will always treasure his last messages to me, hoping we were filming soon,” she explained. “We miss you Michael, thank you for bringing my words to life with such passion and accuracy, you will always be with us.”
“He was a beloved friend and a brilliant actor/writer who taught me so much about my craft and LIFE,” Lainie Kazan, who portrayed Gus’s wife Maria Portokalos, wrote on Facebook after his death.
“We shared a make-believe marriage for over 20 years in the movies My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1 and 2 and soon-to-be 3. What a beautiful relationship. Michael you will be missed. Heaven has gained another angel.”
In addition to her social media video, Vardalos used her caption to thank production companies Playtone, Gold Circle, HBO and Focus, as well as devoted fans for “much love and gratitude” as the team waited to film in Greece.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding became one of the most successful indie films of all time after its release, raking in $368.7 million (£302.2 million) worldwide, from just a $5 million budget (£4.1 million).
Article written by London Greek Radio
