A Bend It Like Beckham sequel is in the works –there’d better be a lesbian ending this time

Our wishes have been granted: a sequel to Bend It Like Beckham is happening, and hopefully this time we’ll get a queer conclusion.

With England’s Lionesses having retained their Euros trophy, there’s no better time for one of the best football films to be revisited.

Gurinder Chadha’s 2002 comedy-drama followed 18-year-old Jess, played by Parminder Nagra, and Jules (Keira Knightley) as they chased professional football careers despite their parents’ protests.

The director has now revealed that a sequel is in development, although she hasn’t decided if it will be a TV show or a feature film.

“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,” she told Deadline.

Nagra, who went on to star in hit hospital drama ER, Knightley, Archie Panjabi (who played Jess’ older sister) and Juliet Stevenson (Jules’ mother) “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 added.

“I didn’t want to do anything because I didn’t have a story. Then I came up with a great story, [a] super-cool story. So, now I’m inspired.

‘There’s more I can do’

“Women’s football is more competitive, more exciting and more global than ever. It is an honour for me to be a small part of it.”

Bend It Like Beckham became an unofficial queer cult classic, thanks to the film’s undertones of lesbianism: Jules’ mother develops a theory that the two girls are in a relationship, which leads her to call the young footballer a lesbian as a slur.

Many fans felt they should have got together in the end, and The Imitation Game‘s Knightley has agreed that a queer reading of the film is legitimate.

When told many saw their characters as queer, she said: “F**k yeah! That would’ve been amazing. I think they should’ve been too. We need a sequel.”

Chadha aims to have the new project ready by 2027, which would mark the 25th anniversary of the original as well as coinciding with the Women’s World Cup in Brazil. 

The original film remains a milestone in Chadha’s career. “You can do and be anything you want even though society dictates what you can and can’t do,” she said, referring to a message which is still relevant today.

“The film’s been part of that legacy, and I feel there’s more I can do. So, that’s what I’m writing and that’s what I’m focusing on. It will be hard-hitting, of course, but it will also be incredibly joyous.

“Let’s hope we can bring back that same joy and feel good about putting women and girls on the map like we did 23 years ago.”

Following Bend It Like Beckham‘s success, Chadha went on to work on TV series as well as feature films such as Bride & Prejudice and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.

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