While you weren’t paying attention, “Girls Trip” became the sleeper hit of the summer. The ensemble comedy starring Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall, and breakout sensation Tiffany Haddish was produced on a microscopic $19 million budget, but has since earned $105 million at the domestic box office. That’s a tremendous return, and also goes to show there is a big audience out there for movies led by women and people of color. It’s a great achievement, and of course, Universal isn’t going to waste an opportunity to try reunite the team.
Speaking with Vulture, producer Will Packer revealed that a sequel is already in the ether, even if no one has quite put their pens to it just yet.
“We’re definitely talking about it. The only thing harder than opening a studio comedy today is opening a studio comedy sequel. [Laughs.] That’s the next challenge. I love our team. If anybody can do it, we can do it. It’s still a little early — the movie is still in theaters — but it’s something we’ve all thought about,” he explained.
What’s fascinating is that in the same conversation, Packer reveals the during the development phase of the film, the studio seemed to have reservations that this cast and premise could carry a summer movie.
“Universal was extremely supportive of this idea for a movie. Especially Donna Langley, the chairwoman. She was somebody who got it, right away,” he said. “There were conversations, once you get into the specifics of development, around if there’s a ‘broader version’ of the film. This type of film starring these women had not been done before to this level of success, not as a comedy. But knowing this audience, I know the value of this audience, and I pushed them really hard with the studio. ‘We can do this, and we can do this with these actors, because that’s the most authentic version of the movie.’ And, ultimately, they agreed.”
The gamble paid off, and not only does Universal have a summer hit, but a possible comedy franchise.