With Hollywood studios finally beginning to recognize that older people do go to the movies and that there is, in fact, money to be made with films that actually place more emphasis on script than special effects, the word on the street is that there is a sequel to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in the works. Cast members including Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy and Dame Maggie Smith are, ‘in principle’, eager to return for the second film but no mention as to whether or not John Madden will return to direct the film. Based on author Deborah Moggach’s novel, These Foolish Things, news of the possible film sequel is being reported in MovieScope magazine with original screenwriter Ol Parker set to deliver a new script to 20th Century Fox studios in the next couple of months.

If you haven’t seen the gem of a film, this is a must see. Interestingly, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was not a hit with critics when it first premiered in 2011 which does nothing but further my belief that if critics don’t like something, I go see it and vice versa. With a cast that reads like a Who’s Who of British acting, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel tells the story of a group of retired Brits who move to a newly-restored hotel when they, individually, decide to “outsource” their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India.

Since the original, both Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie Smith have been busy both on the big and small screen. Judi Dench reprising her role as agent M in the soon to be releases James Bond film, Skyfall while Maggie Smith continued her Dowager Countess brilliance in the newest series of the ITV/PBS mega-hit, Downton Abbey, and will then return to the big screen in late December 2012 with Billy Connolly and Sheridan Smith in Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut Quartet.

This will be one sequel that I’m willing to put on the calendar as one to go see….anyone with me?