MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 opens September 8th
In 1997, actor Nia Vardalos debuted a one-woman show based on her experience as the daughter of Greek immigrants and the events leading up to her marriage to a non-Greek man. Five years later, she adapted her play into the romantic-comedy, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, which was a worldwide box office hit, earned her an Academy Award® nomination for Best Original Screenplay, and spawned a sequel in 2016. Now, more than 20 years since the original’s release, the franchise continues with MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3.
While the first two hilarious installments both actually focused on nuptials — between Toula (Vardalos) and Ian Miller (John Corbett) originally and Toula’s parents, after discovering their marriage was never official, in the sequel — this latest outing is changing things up a bit, but in more than one way. We shall cover that and all the essential facts to know about MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 before it opens in AMC Theaters in the following guide. Let’s start with where the Partokalos clan’s latest odyssey is taking them this time.
A Family Reunion
It is almost a little surprising to learn that no installment of the franchise — including the short-lived TV series spin-off, “My Big Fat Greek Life,” from 2003 — has ever actually taken place in the eponymous European country. Well, any fans who were ever hoping to see that streak end will be pleased by the plot of the upcoming sequel.
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 sees Toula, Ian, and the rest of the Partakalos family truly going Greek, in honor of the late Gus’ dying wish for them to visit his childhood home in Athens and reconnect with their native relatives. Thus, fans can expect to see plenty of familiar faces, but also a few newcomers to the series in the ensemble.
New And Returning Cast Members
Vardalos is back to lead the cast as Toula, alongside Corbett as Ian and Elena Kampouris as their daughter, Paris. Once again as Toula’s mother, Maria, we have Lainie Kazan, as well as Andrea Martin as Aunt Voula and Maria Vacratsis as Aunt Frieda. Toula’s brother, Nick (Louis Mandylor), and cousins, Angelo (Joey Fatone) and Nikki (Gia Carides) are also along for the trip to Greece.
New to the MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 cast is native Greek actor Melina Kotselou, who’s making her feature film debut as a distant relative of the Partokalos family whom she meets when they arrive for their reunion, as well as Elias Kacavas – a young actor of Greek descent – as Paris’ new love interest, Aristotle. An original cast member unfortunately not returning is MIchael Constantine, who passed away at the age of 94 in 2021. As established, the death of his character, Gus, is the inciting incident of the film’s plot.
Nia Vardalos Directs
Vardalos is not only returning to star and write the screenplay for MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3, as the sequel is also the second film she has directed. She made her directorial debut with a 2009 rom-com she also penned called I HATE VALENTINE’S DAY, which was also her first reunion with Corbett.
Her previous writing credits outside of her beloved franchise include the 2004 comedy CONNIE AND CARLA – which she also starred in with Toni Collette – and the 2011 dramedy LARRY CROWNE, which she co-wrote with star and director Tom Hanks. Some of Vardalos’ most notable additional acting roles include the Greece-set, 2009 comedy, MY LIFE IN RUINS, Epix’s political dramedy series, “Graves,” and Netflix’s spooky family adventure, THE CURSE OF BRIDGE HOLLOW.
Watch The Trailer
Not only does the film take place in Greece, but the sequel was also filmed on location, as one can easily tell just by watching the official trailer. Catch a tease of what heartwarming and hilarious hijinks the family is up to this time by watching the full clip below:
From the start, it looks like the family could not be any closer, but it seems like their ensuing reunion in Greece — from the plane ride over to their cramped “sleepover” and their dance-filled festivities — is going to challenge that claim. It also appears that Paris is getting another chance at love with the aforementioned Aristotle, who — according to Aunt Voula — was “ghosted” by the young woman. Also, Ian’s struggle to ingratiate himself into Greek culture is apparently not yet over, judging by one native’s disapproving reaction to him mentioning he is a vegetarian.
While there is nothing in the promotional material to explicitly suggest it so far, an article by Deadline from 2021 claimed that there would, indeed, be a marital subplot in MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3. Could this mean that wedding bells will be ringing on the Greek Islands for Paris and Aristotle, or perhaps for Toula and Ian to renew their vows? It looks like fans will have to see for themselves by checking out the sequel when it comes to a nearby AMC Theatres location in September!
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 3 opens September 8th
