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.
Richard Gere will appear in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2
“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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Gravity movie leads this year’s BAFTAs, scoring 11 nominations including best film and best British film.
Sandra Bullock is up for best actress, while Alfonso Cuaron is nominated for best director.
Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave had 10 nods, with five in the main categories including best film, best director and best actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o also landed supporting nominations.
American Hustle equaled 12 Years a Slave‘s tally, with nominations in all the acting categories for its stars Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence.
The 1970s drama, about two con artists who get entangled with the FBI, is also up for best film, with David O. Russell nominated for best director and original screenplay.
Chiwetel Ejiofor will compete for his award against Christian Bale, Tom Hanks for Captain Phillips, Bruce Dern for Nebraska and Leonardo DiCaprio for The Wolf of Wall Street.
The best actress category will see Sandra Bullock challenge Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine, Emma Thompson for Saving Mr. Banks and Judi Dench for Philomena.
The nominations saw Judi Dench set a BAFTA record, with her 15th acting nomination.
That puts her one ahead of Meryl Streep, who was overlooked in the best actress category for August: Osage County.
BAFTA 2014 winners will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House on February 16
Other movies competing for best film include Captain Phillips and Philomena, while the latter is also nominated for best British film alongside Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Saving Mr. Banks, The Selfish Giant and Rush.
Gravity, Saving Mr. Banks and Rush all qualified for the British film category because they were either filmed in the UK, utilized British effects companies or employed other British talent, from writers to producers.
The rules are set out by the BFI’s cultural test, which determines which films are eligible for UK tax relief.
The best director category mirrored that of the Directors Guild of America – which announced its film nominations on Tuesday. Both bodies shortlisted Steve McQueen, Alfonso Cuaron and David O. Russell alongside Paul Greengrass for Captain Phillips and Martin Scorsese for The Wolf of Wall Street.
Notable snubs in the acting categories included Robert Redford for sea drama All is Lost and Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club – both of whom have been tipped for Oscar consideration this year.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House on February 16.
BAFTA 2014: Most nominated films
Gravity – 11
American Hustle – 10
12 Years a Slave – 10
Captain Phillips – 9
Behind the Candelabra – 5
Saving Mr. Banks – 5
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