Not all franchises are built for 18-24 year olds with disposable income and too much time on their hands. The quaint "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" was a sleeper hit a couple of years, earning over $135 million worldwide at the box office. Not bad for a dramedy with a bunch of elderly British actors. And of course, a followup has been made, with new faces being brought into the fold, including Richard Gere — but don’t call it a sequel.
"I’ve always insisted on ‘companion piece.’ I think ‘sequel’ smacks of, ‘Hey, we made a good one, it worked, let’s do another one.’ It certainly isn’t the same movie again," director John Madden told USA Today, adding, "We were very aware of wanting the experience to be completely fresh. If somebody simply walked into this film knowing nothing about the first, they would be just fine."
Regardless, Dev Patel is back in this not-a-sequel, playing the proprietor of the titular hotel, with the plot revolving around his upcoming wedding to Sunaina (Tena Desae). But don’t worry Grandpa, Bill Nighy, Judi Dench, and Maggie Smith are all kicking around to bring on the charm.
"The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" opens on March 6, 2015. Watch below.
