Key Takeaways

• Sequel Development: A sequel to Bend It Like Beckham is currently in development, with Gurinder Chadha returning as director.
• Character Evolution: Keira Knightley envisions her character Jules as a coach, while Jess has become the rival coach.
• Original Cast: The original cast is aware of the sequel but wants to see a script before committing.
• Story Potential: The narrative could explore the relationship dynamics between Jules and Jess after 25 years.

Keira Knightley may not want to do franchises anymore after starring in three Pirates of the Caribbean movies. However, she could return in the sequel to the beloved sports movie that popularized women’s soccer in the U.K. With Bend It Like Beckham 2 currently in the works, the British actress discusses her vision for the sequel.

Back in 2002, Keira Knightley and ER’s Parminder Nagra starred in the sports movie Bend It Like Beckham. Playing Jules and Jess, they portrayed U.K. football players who join a women’s team despite their parents being against it. Over 20 years later, Deadline confirmed that a sequel to the hit sports film was in development. Gurinder Chadha, who directed the 2002 flick, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming movie:

“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.”

The London-based director said she had been tackling the idea of a follow-up for the past two years. But it wasn’t until Chadha attended the Women’s European Championship final in Switzerland that inspiration struck. She got the chance to see women’s football as “more competitive, more exciting, and more global than ever.”

Nothing confirms whether the original cast will participate in the sports sequel. According to Gurinder Chadha, they “are aware that a sequel is being developed, but they obviously want to see a script before they commit.” At the same time, the Bride and Prejudice director said she’s “pretty certain” about everyone’s return.

What did Keira Knightley say about Bend It Like Beckham 2?

Bend It Like Beckham ended with Jules and Jess receiving full sports scholarships at Santa Clara University. In Keira Knightley’s interview with British Vogue, she spoke about ideas she was “spitballing” with her Woman in Cabin 10 director, Simon Stone:

“He was like, ‘Jules has got to be a coach now.’ I was like, ‘Right, but what’s happened to Jess?!’ He was like, ‘She’s the coach of the other team and they’ve got this rivalry going on.’ Simon does now want payment for that idea.”

The Black Doves actress revisited previous speculations about Jules and Jess, who were originally written as a couple, and whether they would be together now.

“We did think that at the time [laughs], we were like, ‘Obviously, we’re a couple.’ […] And are they together? Maybe they’ve split up and they get back together? I mean, who knows – 25 years is a long time; there’s so much that could have happened.”

Keep checking in for casting and release date news for Bend It Like Beckham 2.