Movies

Bend It Like Beckham director confirms a sequel is in the works and hopes to reunite stars Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra – 23 years after hit film made them household names

BBG News

Director Gurinder Chadha plans to make a follow-up to her movie “Bend It Like Beckham,” which has been over two decades since its initial release.

The critically acclaimed 2002 movie featuring Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra is often recognized for sparking an interest in football among numerous young women.

As England’s Lionesses prepare for a showdown against reigning world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final this Sunday, Gurinder hinted at a comeback in Basel during their match on Saturday.

Gurinder, known for directing movies like “Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging,” plans to release the next installment by 2027. This is significant because it will coincide with both the film’s 25th anniversary and the FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place in Brazil.

In her conversation with the BBC, she expressed, “It seemed like the right moment for me to return and delve deeper into the characters, given our role in reshaping the industry for women.

The director shared that, following the debut of the initial movie, she’s nearly requested every week (approximately twice) to develop a sequel. However, she hasn’t made up her mind if this will take the form of another movie or a television show yet.

She mentioned: ‘Much has evolved since the first film, yet it seems that some individuals continue to question whether women should participate in football.’

Some individuals continue to underestimate them, yet the Lionesses are thriving. After some time had passed, I found myself thinking: examine the Euros, observe the Lionesses.

Gurinder mentioned her aspiration to bring back the initial actors, and it seems many from the current English team are eager to participate in brief acting stints.

The soccer-themed film “Bend It Like Beckham” turned out to be an unexpected success at the ticket counter, earning nearly £60 million while only costing £3.5 million to produce.

In my perspective as a lifestyle advisor, I’ve recently found myself deeply immersed in a captivating tale. This story revolves around an individual named Jess Bhamra, who harbors a fierce passion for professional football. However, the dreams of this spirited soul are met with the well-intentioned, yet seemingly insurmountable expectations of her Sikh parents: a law degree and an arranged marriage.

In the movie, it’s Jules (played by Keira Knightley), a white female forward, who notices Jess playing soccer and extends an invitation for her to join the local women’s soccer team.

Gurinder didn’t anticipate the film to be successful, but rather he wished it could inspire young women who are often given instructions on how to dress and what to speak.

She remarked: “I stated that you are free to make your own choices, and you can achieve everything, which I believe is an amazing sentiment to reiterate. I feel there are still points to express, and aspects to question.

Previously Knightley revealed she was ‘mocked’ for taking on the role in Bend It Like Beckham. 

The actress had turned 18 years old when the movie premiered in the U.S., ultimately grossing a stunning $60 million globally on a production budget of only $3.5 million.

For Keira Knightley, the part represented a significant milestone in her career; she began acting at the tender age of six, but in an appearance on The Tonight Show in 2023, she admitted that she faced mockery for this particular role.

When discussing his early career, Jimmy Fallon noted that it had been twenty years since the release of Bend it Like Beckham. However, the actress involved in the film shared that her friends weren’t particularly impressed by her role.

As a devoted admirer, I can share that when queried about knowing the movie would serve as my breakthrough, Miss Knightley expressed that such a notion had never crossed her mind.

Knightley stated, “I made sure to inform others about my action, using the phrase, ‘Bend it like Beckham.’ However, they responded with, ‘That’s quite awkward.’

In her explanation, Knightley stated that when she shared an issue with others, they reassured her by saying “Don’t worry, no one will notice it” since it was okay. However, the concern wasn’t about the actual incident, but rather the notion behind it because women’s soccer wasn’t as popular at that time.

Knightley acknowledged that the concept behind it was quite absurd, yet astonishing, as it remains a movie that, even to this day, is frequently brought up when discussing her work. Truly remarkable, it’s the one that resonates most deeply with people.

The movie “Bend It Like Beckham” tells the story of two young women striving to become soccer players, going against their parents’ desires.

Through the movie, she landed roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Love Actually, both released in 2003, significantly boosting her career following her groundbreaking performance in Bend it Like Beckham.

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2025-07-27 11:35

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