There’s a lot of love out there still for the Father of the Bride movies. In 2014 when rumors surfaced of a third film that would reunite writer/director Nancy Meyers, Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, and the rest of the cast for another wedding-focused comedy, there was a great deal of excitement to see the story continue. However, Martin shot those rumors down. Now, it looks like that sequel is happening…sorta? Tomorrow, Netflix will debut Father of the Bride Part 3 (Ish), which could be more than just another Netflix reunion special.
Martin, Keaton, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, George Newbern, Kieran Culkin, and Martin Short are all returning for Father of the Bride Part 3 (Ish), although we still don’t know exactly what it is. The teaser revealed today features no actual footage, instead relying on clips from the first two movies which opened in 1991 and 1995. There is some new dialogue, however, with matriarch Nina Banks (Keaton) encouraging her always-panicked husband George (Martin) to join in on a video call with their son, Matty (Culkin), who says it’s very important. Meyers is coming back to direct, as well.
The titles pretty much speak for themselves: Martin plays George Banks who isn’t handling well the impending marriage of his daughter to a guy he doesn’t like. The sequel dealt with her pregnancy and George’s belief he is too young to be a grandfather. Both movies were hits, and a third film has been talked about for a very long time.
Perhaps Meyers finally decided to make it happen? I remember those rumors from six years ago, and they always seemed credible to me, but like something a studio wouldn’t touch with a flagpole. Not at the time, anyway. But right now, with big Hollywood productions dwindling and easy-to-produce films becoming the norm, it may be the right time. The teaser is already set in a COVID world (hence the video call) and I’m guessing a movie would be, too.
Or this could be similar to the Love Actually “sequel” from three years ago.
Father of the Bride Part 3 (Ish) debuts tomorrow, September 25th, at 6pm EST on Netflix’s YouTube channel, and is in support of Chef José Andrés World Central Kitchen.
