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My Big Fat Greek Wedding (franchise)

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My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Official franchise logo
Created byNia Vardalos
Owners
Years2002-present
Films and television
Film(s)
Television seriesMy Big Fat Greek Life (2003)

The My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise, consists of American romantic comedies, including three theatrical films, and a television series.

The two films grossed $460 million worldwide[1][2] against a $23 million combined budget.[1][3] The first film received positive reviews from critics, while the sequels received mostly negative reviews.

Films

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

Main article: My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Everyone in the Portokalos family worries about Toula (Nia Vardalos). Still unmarried at 30 years old, she works at Dancing Zorba's, the Greek restaurant owned by her parents, Gus (Michael Constantine) and Maria (Lainie Kazan). After taking a job at her aunt's travel agency, she falls in love with Ian Miller (John Corbett), a teacher who is tall, handsome, and definitely not Greek. Toula isn't sure which will be more upsetting to her father, that Ian is a foreigner or that he's a vegetarian. The film was a sleeper hit, and the film became the highest-grossing romantic comedy of all time.[4] The film grossed $241 million domestically for a worldwide total of $368 million, despite not reaching No. 1 at the box office, against a $5 million budget.[5] The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay at the 75th Academy Awards.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)

Main article: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

17 years after the first film, parenting and marriage is becoming tougher and tougher for Toula (Nia Vardalos) and her husband Ian (John Corbett). Not only has their relationship lost some of its spark, but they're also dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter who clashes with Greek traditions. On top of that, Toula must contend with aging parents and the endless need of cousins and friends. But when a shocking family secret comes to light, the entire Portokalos clan makes plans to come together for an even bigger wedding than before. The film was less successful than the original, grossing $59 million domestically, with a $88 million worldwide gross, against an $18 million budget.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023)

Main article: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

In late June 2016, Nia Vardalos hinted at the possibility of a third film, saying that although no writing has been done, she does have an idea.[6] On April 8, 2021, it was announced that My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 was in development, to be written by Vardalos as an independent film, who will also reprise her role as co-star. The project was also revealed to have been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, in which production will commence once the studios maintains insurance for its crew, with principal photography scheduled to take place in Greece.[7][8] On October 1, 2021, Vardalos confirmed that the script for the third film had been completed and that it would involve another Greek wedding.[9] On May 15, 2022, it was announced that filming will take place throughout Greece in the summer of 2022, with large portions being shot on Corfu from July 5 to August 3, 2022.[10] The film will be dedicated to the memory of Michael Constantine, who died on August 31, 2021, at the age of 94.[11] In June 2022, Vardalos was announced to serve as director, with a script that she wrote. Principal photography commenced in Athens, Greece on June 22, 2022, and wrapped on August 10, 2022.[12] The project will be a joint-venture production between Playtone, Gold Circle Films, HBO Films, and Focus Features.[13][14] The film was released on September 8, 2023.[15] The film will follow the Portokalos family on a trip to Greece for a family reunion.[16]

Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter Producers Status
My Big Fat Greek Wedding April 19, 2002 (2002-04-19) Joel Zwick Nia Vardalos Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson & Gary Goetzman Released
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 March 25, 2016 (2016-03-25) Kirk Jones
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 September 8, 2023 (2023-09-08)[15] Nia Vardalos

Television

Main article: My Big Fat Greek Life

The film inspired the short-lived television spin-off My Big Fat Greek Life (2003). Most of the major characters were played by the same actors, with the exception of John Corbett being replaced by Steven Eckholdt.

The show received poor reviews from critics noting the random character entrances and serious plot "adjustments" that did not match the film. The seven episodes from the series are available on DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, whose TV studio division produced the show.

Primary cast and characters

For a full list, see List of My Big Fat Greek Wedding characters.
Characters Film Television
My Big Fat Greek Wedding My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 My Big Fat Greek Life
Fortoula "Toula" Nia Portokalos-Miller Nia Vardalos
Ian Thomas Miller John Corbett Steven Eckholdt
Paris Miller Arielle Sugarman Elena Kampouris
Maria Portokalos Lainie Kazan
Nick Portokalos Louis Mandylor
Costas "Gus" Portokalos Michael Constantine Michael Constantine
Theia Voula Andrea Martin
Nikki Portokalos Gia Carides
Uncle Taki Gerry Mendicino
Cousin Angelo Joey Fatone
Mana-Yiayia Bess Meisler
Athena Portokalos Stavroula Logothettis
Mike Ian Gomez
Rodney Miller Bruce Gray
Harriet Miller Fiona Reid
Mrs. White Jayne Eastwood
Thiea Freida Maria Vacratsis
Yianni Peter Tharos
Jennie Chrissy Paraskevopoulos
Marianthi Kathryn Haggis
Ilaria Jeanie Calleja
Marge Kathryn Greenwood
Edie Tannis Burnett
Panos Portakalos Mark Margolis
George John Stamos
Anna Rita Wilson
Bennett Alex Wolff
Northwestern Rep Rob Riggle
Wedding Planner Ashleigh Rains
Patrick Jeff White
Aristotle Elias Kacavas
Victory Melina Kotselou

Additional crew and production detail

Title Crew/Detail
Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor(s) Production companies Distributing companies Running time
My Big Fat Greek Wedding Chris Wilson
Alexander Janko 		Jeffrey Jur Mia Goldman HBO Films
Playtone Films
Gold Circle Films
MPH Entertainment 		IFC Films 95 min
My Big Fat Greek Life John Adair
Chris Wilson
Steve Hampton 		Gil Hubbs Barry L. Gold
Michael Karlich 		Playtone Television
Brad Grey Television
Sony Pictures Television
Marsh McCall Productions 		CBS
Sony Pictures Television 		210 min
(30min/episodes)
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Christopher Lennertz Jim Denault Markus Czyzewski HBO Films
Playtone Films
Gold Circle Films 		Universal Pictures 94 min[17]
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Stephanie Economou Barry Peterson Annette Davey
Craig Herring 		HBO Films
Focus Features
Gold Circle Films
The Playtone Company 		Focus Features 92 min[18]

Reception

Box office performance

Film Release date Box office gross Box office ranking Budget Ref(s)
United States
opening weekend 		North America Other
territories 		Worldwide All time
North America 		All time
worldwide
My Big Fat Greek Wedding April 19, 2002 $3,002,241 $241,438,208 $127,305,836 $368,744,044 #132 #333 $5 million [1]
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 March 25, 2016 $17,861,950 $59,689,605 $30,943,036 $90,632,641 #1,389 — $18 million [2][3]
Totals $301,127,813 $158,248,872 $459,376,685 $23 million [19]

Critical and public response

Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article
Film Critical Public
Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic CinemaScore
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 76% (129 reviews)[20] 62/100 (29 reviews)[21] A–
My Big Fat Greek Life —[22] 40/100 (13 reviews)[23] —
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 27% (176 reviews)[24] 37/100 (32 reviews)[25] A−[26]
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 30% (76 reviews)[27] 34/100 (23 reviews)[28] B[26]

References

  1. ^ a b c "My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  2. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy. "'Batman V. Superman' Targets Second-Best Pre-Summer Global Opening With $350M". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "TV Review - My Big Fat Greek Life". Entertainment Weekly. 2003-04-07. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  5. ^ "Top Grossing Movies that never hit #1". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  6. ^ Nia Vardalos Hints At My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. ITV. June 29, 2016. At time 5:36 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ Guerrero, Bethany (April 8, 2021). "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Is Officially In The Works". Screent Rant. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  8. ^ Stone, Megan (April 8, 2021). "'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' in the works, Nia Vardalos confirms". Good Morning America. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  9. ^ Cordero, Rosy (October 1, 2021). "Nia Vardalos Tributes Michael Constatine; Shares Update On 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
  10. ^ Bureau, Athens (May 15, 2022). "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3: Nia Vardalos prepares for filming in Corfu". greekcitytimes.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. ^ Weiss, Benjamin (June 27, 2022). "Everything To Know About My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3". Screen Rant. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
  12. ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (August 10, 2022). "'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Wraps Filming in Greece". Collider. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  13. ^ Burton, Carson (June 22, 2022). "Nia Vardalos Announces 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Is Filming Now in Greece". Variety. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  14. ^ Mendelsohn, Jon (June 22, 2022). "Let the Fun Begin! 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Begins Filming in Greece". Collider. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  15. ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 17, 2023). "'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' To Hit Theaters In Early Fall". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  16. ^ Nia Vardalos Spills on 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Filmed in Greece for 'Family Reunion'. The Talk. November 9, 2022. At time 0:33 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ "MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. March 2, 2016. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2023.
  18. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (12A)". British Board of Film Classification. August 8, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
  19. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movies at the Box Office". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on July 14, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  20. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 16, 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  21. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  22. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Life". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  23. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Life". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  24. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 10, 2021. Edit this at Wikidata
  25. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  26. ^ a b "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  27. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
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