Production for the sequel to the romantic comedy Upgraded is officially starting this month in Italy. Directed by Becca Gleason, the film will be released globally on Prime Video.
Becca Gleason brings 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' expertise to Italy
The romantic comedy genre is seeing a significant push from streaming giants, and Upgraded 2 represents the latest attept to capitalize on the "modern fairy tale" trend. According to the report, filming for the sequel is scheduled to begin this month on location in Italy. This production shift moves the story away from the New York art scene established in the first film and into a new European setting.
Director Becca Gleason takes over the creative reins for this installment, bringing a background in high-profile teen and young adult dramas. As reported by the source, Gleason previously served as a consulting producer on Amazon MGM's The Summer I Turned Pretty and directed the 2018 film Summer '03. Her transition from drama to this romantic comedy sequel marks a notable shift in her directorial portfolio.
Luke Roberts and Justin Matthews maintain writing continuity
Creative stability is a cornerstone of this production, as the original writing duo is returning to the project. Luke Roberts and Justin Matthews, who penned the first film, are confirmed to be writing the sequel. This continuity is intended to preserve the tone of the original Cinderella-inspired narrative that resonated with audiences.
The production is supported by a robust network of studios and producers. Gulfstream Pictures, led by producers Mike Karz and Bill Bindley,is collaborating with Honor Role, where Mendes and Rachel Matthews will produce. Additional production support comes from Lena Roklin of Luber Roklin Entertainment and Piers Tempest of Tempo Production.
Camila Mendes balances 'Upgraded 2' with 'Baton' and 'Viva La Madness'
Camila Mendes remains the central figure of the franchise, reprising her role as the ambitious intern Ana Santos. The actress is currently managing an incredibly dense production schedule that extends far beyond this romantic comedy.
In addition to her work on Upgraded 2, Mendes is set to star in the upcoming sports drama Baton and the action thriller Viva La Madness.. This diversification of her roles suggests that her partnership with Prime Video and other studios is part of a broader strategy to leverage her star power across multiple genres.
The mystery of Ana Santos' new direction and returning cast
While the production details for Upgraded 2 are exetnsive, several key narrative questions remain unanswered. The source does not clarify if the sequel will continue the modern-day Cinderella motif or if the plot will pivot to a completely different premise for Ana Santos.
Furthermore, the involvemet of the original supporting cast remains unverified. While the first film featured prominent actors like Marisa Tomei, Lena Olin, and Archie Renaux, it is currently unknown if any of these performers will return for the Italian shoot. Without confirmation on the ensemble, fans are left to wonder if the sequel will focus solely on the lead duo or expand into a larger ensemble piece.
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