Will there be a 3rd My Big Fat Greek Wedding?

All you need to know about the next instalment in the rom-com franchise from first-look images to trailer

(L to R) Gia Carides as "Nikki" and Joey Fatone as "Angelo" in director Nia Vardalos' MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3, a Focus Features release.
(Image credit: Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features)

The cast of one of the most hilarious, highest-grossing rom-coms ever made are set for a franchise reunion as fans ask will there be a 3rd Big Fat Greek Wedding?

What started some 20 years ago with My Big Fat Greek Wedding which released in 2002, saw a story come to life that was based on Nia Vardalos'' one woman play and saw her take the lead as one of the main characters in the movie.

In the UK, getting married can bring the benefits of the Marriage Allowance to those that are eligible, but in any marriage - whatever the country - there's plenty of ups and downs to experience and this new movie has it all.

Plus, if you're a fan of romantic movies to stream, then either of the first two movies will appeal. For those who haven't seen the first, playing the role of Fotoula 'Toula' Portokalos, the young Greek-American woman falls for a non-greek man (played by John Corbett). After ignoring her family's objections, the huge wedding goes ahead but it starts a struggle of acceptance while she too comes to terms with her own heritage.

As we look at what we know so far about a possible third instalment...

Will there be a 3rd Big Fat Greek Wedding?

Yes, a third installment of My BiG fat Greek Wedding is already in production and Focus Features announced that the third film in the franchise will have a worldwide theatrical release on September 8, 2023. First-look images of the cast in action have since been released along with a trailer that confirms *almost the whole family is back!

Toula says in the trailer, "So we're having a reunion. And by we, I mean the whole family."

As they embark on a journey to fulfill one of their late father's final wishes - for them to visit his childhood village and reconnect with their roots.

In 2022, its writer Nia announced on Instagram that filming was underway in Athens, Greece and that she would be directing the project. Her video clip was captioned, "Thank you to Playtone, Gold Circle, HBO and Focus! And much love and gratitude to you all for your support as we waited to film. Greece baby. Greece!"  she conculded the post with a My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 hashtag.

In the clip she shares a sneaky peek of one of the filming locations, telling her followers, "Guess who the director is, it's meeeeee! I just want to thank you so much."

My Big Fat Greek Wedding cast

My Big Fat Greek Wedding cast for the third instalment will see Nia Vardalos return alongside returning cast mates including; John Corbett, Louis Mandylor, Elena Kampouris, Maria Vacratsis, Andrea Martin, Elias Kacavas, Gia Carides, Joey Fatone and Lainie Kazan. New cast members are Elias Kacavas and Melina Kotselou.

Meanwhile, the producers who have worked on all three movies, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson and Gary Goetzman, also return, with Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer and Steven Shareshian serving as executive producers.

(L to R) Elena Kampouris as "Paris", Elias Kacavas as "Aristotle", Andrea Martin as "Aunt Voula", Nia Vardalos as "Toula", Louis Mandylor as "Nick", and John Corbett as "Ian" in director Nia Vardalos' MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3, a Focus Features release.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features)

Speaking about getting the cast and crew back together, Nia said, "The sweet friendship which bloomed from the producers’ first taking a chance on me then grew into a beautiful relationship as they entrusted me to direct this instalment of our franchise. We filmed our family reunion entirely in Greece which was thrilling for us all. Plus, we ate for free.”

(L to R) John Corbett as "Ian", Maria Vacratsis as "Aunt Frieda", Melina Kotselou as "Victory", Nia Vardalos as "Toula", Elena Kampouris as "Paris", Andrea Martin as "Aunt Voula", and Elias Kacavas as "Aristotle" in director Nia Vardalos' MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3, a Focus Features release.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features)

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 plot

The exact plot for My Big Fat Greek Wedding has been teased by its writer Nia, who revealed last year that the third instalment would pay tribute to the late Michael Constantine, who played Toula’s father Gus. He died in 2021 and was unable to begin filming on the newest instalment. But his character still has a huge part in the new script, with his ashes on the family mantlepiece, and his last wish to be fulfilled by the whole family.

(L to R) Nia Vardalos stars as "Toula" and John Corbett stars as "Ian" in director Nia Vardalos' MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3, a Focus Features release

(Image credit: Courtesy of Yannis Drakoulidis / Focus Features)

Her Instagram post read, "He had told me he wouldn’t be able to join us for the third film and his wish was that we go on. I wrote the screenplay to reflect Michael’s decision and will always treasure his last messages to me.”

Where to watch My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 is available to watch on HBO Max, Spectrum TV, The Roku Channel, Prime Video, Redbox., Vudu or Apple TV on your Roku device. The synopsis for the second movie is centred on the wedding reception, where Gus reads a letter from the ancestry site verifying that he is a descendant of Alexander the Great. Ian, however, realises that Toula forged the letter to make her father happy.

You can watch the trailer for the second film below...

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Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)