Richard Gere to appear in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2

Richard Gere will appear in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2, it has been announced.

It had been rumored last October that Richard Gere, 64, had been approached to star in the movie.

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2 production has begun in India with John Madden returning to direct.

The sequel will see Dev Patel’s character Sonny and hotel co-manager Muriel (played by Maggie Smith) continue with their business as Sonny juggles his plans for expansion and an impending marriage.

With the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful thriving, it only has a single remaining vacancy, which poses a problem for new arrivals Guy – played by Richard Gere – and Lavinia – played by Tamsin Greig.

“We’re thrilled to reunite our creative and delightful Marigold Hotel family along with some intriguing new <<guests>>,” Claudia Lewis, Fox Searchlight Pictures president of production, said.

“With John Madden’s direction and Ol Parker’s original screenplay, we look forward to further exploring our characters’ rich stories and triumphs.”

John Madden added: “This film presented us with an irresistible opportunity: to continue a story we realized we had only just begun.

“Not to tell the same story again, but to pursue where the lives of these very different characters lead, with an audience which already holds them in great affection.”

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel earned more than $135 million at the box office worldwide on a production budget of $10 million.

The film was also nominated for a best British film BAFTA and best picture Golden Globe, while Judi Dench was also recognized for her role in as hotel resident Evelyn.

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