Gurinder Chadha Confirms Bend It Like Beckham Sequel: Excited To Revisit The Original Characters

The sequel to 2002 sports cult drama Bend It Like Beckham is in the works. Indian-origin filmmaker Gurinder Chadha has confirmed it.

Starring Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley, the film revolves around British Indian teenager Jess Bhamra (Nagra) whose dreams of playing pro soccer is stopped by her conservative immigrant parents (Anupam Kher and Shaheen Khan).

She goes against her parents' wishes and participates in matches. She is enlisted by fellow player Jules Paxton (Knightley) for a semi-pro team. Jonathan Rhys Meyers played Jess' coach, Joe.

In an interview with Deadline, Chadha said she is "excited to revisit the original characters and revive the enduring story and build on the legacy we helped to create for the women’s game."

She added, "I’m pretty certain that everyone’s going to want to come back. Everything hinges on the script and if the original cast likes it." Chadha is "working really hard to make sure every character" she brings back has a "decent arc."

Chadha also said that for 23 years she didn’t want to do anything because she didn’t have a story. "And then I came up with a great story, really super-cool story. So now I’m inspired. Literally came up with it just about a month ago. It’s my very clear wish to bring the characters back very, very soon. Women’s football is more competitive, more exciting, and more global than ever. It is an honour for me to be a small part of it," she said.

Nothing much about the plot has been revealed.

Chadha wants to co-write the screenplay with husband Paul Mayeda Berges. She also worked with Emma Hayes, head coach of the U.S. women’s national soccer team, who helped with the script. She wants to release the sequel in 2027 to mark the 25th anniversary of Bend it Like Beckham 2002 premiere.