Film will launch in the US on March 6.
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: ‘The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, starring Dev Patel in an ensemble cast, has been selected as the next charity Royal Film Performance.
The sequel to the 2012 box office hit ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’ will be screened with members of the Royal Family in attendance on 17 February in London, reported the BBC.
Money raised from the gala screening will go to The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF).
John Madden has returned to direct the sequel from a script by Ol Parker. Returning cast includes Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Diana Hardcastle, Tena Desae and Lillete Dubey, reported Variety.
The annual charity provides care and financial support to film and TV industry employees and their families who fall on hard times. It has not yet been announced which members of the Royal Family will attend, the BBC report said.
“We are thrilled to be able to host esteemed British director John Madden’s highly anticipated sequel,” Barry Jenkins, president of the CTBF said. “At the end of our 90th anniversary year it is fitting that we can celebrate alongside such acclaimed British filmmaking talent.”
The film sees Patel’s character Sonny and hotel co-manager Muriel (played by Dame Maggie Smith) continue with their business as Sonny juggles his plans for expansion and an impending marriage.
The first film earned more than $135m at the box office worldwide on a production budget of $10m. The sequel will launch March 6 in the US, reported Variety. It’s the first sequel ever released by Fox Searchlight.