EXCLUSIVE: Following recent confirmation from Amazon MGM Studios and Lionsgate that A Simple Favor 2 is a go, the film has added seven new cast members: Elena Sofia Ricci, Michele Morrone (365 Days), Elizabeth Perkins (Minx), Alex Newell (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist), Taylor Ortega (Grand Death Lotto), Lorenzo de Moor, and Aparna Nancherla (The Drop).
While Nancherla reprises her role as Sona, all other roles are new and under wraps for now.
Deadline was first to report on the sequel two years ago, as stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively and director Paul Feig signed on to return. Others set to reprise include Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Joshua Satine, Ian Ho, and Kelly McCormack.
Released by Lionsgate in 2018 to critical acclaim and more than $97 million at the worldwide box office, A Simple Favor is a mystery thriller that adapts the same-name novel by Darcey Bell. The first film introduces viewers to Stephanie (Kendrick), a mommy blogger who becomes deeply involved in the mysterious disappearance of her enigmatic friend Emily (Lively). As Stephanie delves deeper into Emily’s past, secrets unravel, leading to unexpected twists and turns.
In the sequel, we see the return of Stephanie and Emily as they head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman. Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square.
The script, based on characters by Bell, was written by Jessica Sharzer, who wrote the first film, with revisions by Steve Yockey, Laeta Kalogridis, and Feig. Feigco Entertainment’s Feig and Laura Fischer will produce, with Jessica Sharzer executive producing. Production commences this spring, with the film ultimately to stream in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
An Italian actress unfamiliar to most stateside to this point, Ricci has been directed on screen by Ferzan Özpetek, Pupi Avati, Carlo Carlei, Juan-Luis Bunuell, and Paolo Sorrentino, and has led a number of successful international series, winning awards including three David di Donatello, five Nastri d’Argento, one Globo d’Oro, four Ciak d’Oro, and two Premi Flaiano.
Best known for starring in Netflix’s 365 Days franchise, Morrone will next be seen in the indie Subservience opposite Megan Fox and Home Sweet Home Rebirth based on the bestselling video game.
Recently seen starring on shows like Minx, The Afterparty and Sharp Objects, Perkins has also been seen in films like Big, The Flintstones, and Must Love Dogs. Of late, she’s also taken on roles in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, as well as shows like The Morning Show, Barry, and This Is Us.
Making history last year as the first gender-non-binary Tony award winner for their star turn in the Broadway musical Shucked, Newell’s credits include Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Glee, and a Grammy-nominated turn on Broadway’s Once on This Island.
Ortega can next be seen in the final season of What We Do in the Shadows and in Feig’s upcoming feature Grand Death Lotto for Amazon MGM Studios. Additionally, she was a series regular on Fox’s Welcome To Flatch and can be seen on Max’s Love Life, HBO’s Succession, and Starz’s reboot of Party Down.
A comedian, actor and writer, Nancherla has appeared in the acclaimed dark comedy Search Party, Hulu’s The Drop, Comedy Central’s Corporate, and more. She has performed stand-up across the country and has two comedy specials with Netflix and Comedy Central.
Ricci is repped by Diberti & Company in Italy; Morrone by CAA, Get Agency, Ascend Artist Representation, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer; Perkins by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Gersh; Newell by Gersh, Amplified, and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller; Ortega by Mosaic, Gersh, and Granderson Des Rochers; De Moore by Volver Actor in Italy and Zero Gravity Management; and Nancherla by CAA, Mosaic, Heatwave Talent, and Felker Toczek Suddleson.