New Delhi: After more than two decades, the 2003 romantic comedy, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, is set to get a sequel, with original star Kate Hudson expected to reprise her role. Director Donald Petrie is also hoping to bring back Matthew McConaughey, Hudson’s co-star in the original.
The sequel is currently in the early stages of development, with the main cast and several key roles yet to be decided. The project is also looking for a screenwriter, with casting expected to depend on the script, a source familiar with the project told Variety. Pulp Fiction (1994), Gattaca (1997), and Django Unchained (2007) producer Stacey Sher is on board to produce the film alongside Hudson.
A year of sequels
The announcement comes in a busy year for Hollywood sequels. The Devil Wears Prada 2, Scary Movie, and Toy Story 5 have all performed well at the box office, while Practical Magic 2 and Legally Blonde 3 are among the sequels arriving later this year. The trend is expected to continue next year with films including Shrek 5 and Greta Gerwig’s The Chronicles of Narnia.
The original 2003 film follows Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson), a frustrated columnist for a women’s magazine who is assigned to write an article about how to lose a man in 10 days. Meanwhile, Benjamin Barry (Matthew McConaughey), an advertising executive, bets his boss that he can make any woman fall in love with him. When the two meet, their competing agendas lead to a series of chaotic situations.
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days was a commercial success, grossing nearly $178 million worldwide.
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Fans divided over sequel
The possibility of a sequel has already divided audiences online, with some fans excited to see Hudson and McConaughey return, while others feel the original film stands on its own, is complete, and does not need a follow-up.
“Why? We already know how to lose a guy in 10 days. I don’t understand the need for a sequel. The movie is iconic and complete,” one user wrote on X.
“We are finally getting the cinematic event that will single-handedly restore peace to the romantic comedy genre,” another user wrote.
“Honestly, can we stop doing this? It’s not even gonna be the same. The tones in films nowadays are so bleak and beige. Probably gonna modernise the whole thing by inserting some agenda too,” a user commented.
“How not to have an original idea after 23 years,” another user wrote.
(Edited by Maryam Hassan)