'Bend It Like Beckham' Sequel in the Works: Will the Original Cast Return?
A Bend It Like Beckham sequel is officially in the works, and it seems like some of the original cast members are entertaining the idea of reprising their roles.
“I’m excited to revisit the original characters and revive the enduring story and build on the legacy we helped to create for the women’s game,” Gurinder Chadha, who directed the 2002 film, told Deadline in July 2025.
In the original sports drama, Jess (Parminder Nagra) befriends Jules (Keira Knightley), a fellow soccer player who encourages her to try out for the Hounslow Harriers. Jess makes the team but decides to keep it a secret from her disapproving family. Jess eventually gets caught in a web of lies about her extracurricular activities when her family finds out, leading up to a dramatic soccer match that takes place at the same time as her sister Pinky’s (Archie Panjabi) wedding.
Bend It Like Beckham also starred Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Shaznay Lewis, Anupam Kher, Shaheen Khan, Frank Harper, Juliet Stevenson, Ameet Chana and Kulvinder Ghir, with cameos from David and Victoria Beckham.
Keep scrolling for more on the sequel and whether or not the original cast members are expected to reprise their roles:
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Is the Original ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ Cast Expected to Return for the Sequel?
While no official casting announcements have been made thus far, Chadha told Deadline the original cast members “are aware that a sequel is being developed, but they obviously want to see a script before they commit.”
“I’m pretty certain that everyone’s going to want to come back,” she continued.
Chadha emphasized that putting together an enticing script would be the determining factor in whether or not the actors and actresses would decide to return.
“Everything hinges on the script and if the original cast likes it,” she remarked. “I am working really hard to make sure every character I bring back has a decent arc and scenes.”
When to Expect the ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ Sequel
Chadha said that she would ideally be finished with the sequel in 2027 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Bend it Like Beckham’s release. The timing is even more significant when you factor in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is scheduled for July 2027 in Brazil.
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Keira Knightley Looked Back on the Legacy of ‘Bend It Like Beckham’
Knightley admitted that people in her life were initially skeptical about the film and whether or not it would be successful.
“I literally remember telling people I was doing it and it’s called Bend It Like Beckham, and them going, ‘Oh that’s really embarrassing,’” the actress recalled during a March 2023 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. “And they were all like, ‘Don’t worry. Nobody will see it. It’s fine.'”
She continued, “No, but it was the idea of it because, you know, women’s soccer was not as big back then, and so the idea of the whole thing was sort of ridiculous.”
Ultimately, Knightley was thrilled to see the positive response to the film when it was released.
“It’s amazing because it’s still the film even today, you know, if someone comes up to talk to me about my work, it’s that one,” she said. “It’s so loved. It’s amazing.”
