Long-awaited sequel 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2' is labor of love for writer, star Nia Vardalos

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Saturday, March 26, 2016
'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2' is labor of love for writer, star Nia Vardalos
Nia Vardalos celebrates her Greek heritage in the comedy sequel 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,' which she helped write and stars in.

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Fourteen years ago, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" became the biggest independent film of all time. Four years ago, Nia Vardalos finally decided to start writing the sequel.



She said making "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" felt like a big, fat family reunion.



"Something happened to us that was extraordinary and we were just this little film," Vardalos said. "So to get the chance to see each other again was like a reunion. Then we were like, 'oh, we're working. Oh yes, we're making another one!' It was very, very fun."



"My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" picks up about 14 years after the first one, with the original stars all back for more! The main characters now have a daughter soon off to college. The family still meddles with love, of course. And, another wedding is in the works!



Vardalos wrote and re-wrote her script - even as they were filming it.



"I always say it's like a cake," she said. "You think you're going to make a soufflé. Then it comes out of the oven and there's a little more chocolate than you thought and there's sort of a sideways wedge in it. Just add more icing and go with it!"



One funny scene in the movie involves a trick to look better in a photograph!



"Well, that came about because a friend was saying, 'Don't get a facelift. Don't succumb to Hollywood,'" Vardalos said. "And I was like, 'why would I ever do that when I'll always have a cousin next to me in a picture to pull my neck back.' It works. It's perfect and it's very natural. What's the problem?"



In this story, Nia again takes us into her Greek world, where family members generously offer their advice...whether they've asked for it or not.



"My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2" is in theaters now.

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