My Big Fat Greek Wedding (franchise) explained

My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Creator:Nia Vardalos
Years:2002 - 2023
Tv:My 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 series was created by Nia Vardalos.

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)

See 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)

See 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)

See 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. The film follows the Portokalos family on a trip to Greece for a family reunion following the death of Toula's father, Gus.[15]

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwriterProducersStatus
My Big Fat Greek WeddingJoel ZwickNia VardalosTom Hanks, Rita Wilson & Gary GoetzmanReleased
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2Kirk Jones
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3[16] Nia Vardalos

Television

See 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

CharactersFilmTelevision
My Big Fat Greek WeddingMy Big Fat Greek Wedding 2My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3My Big Fat Greek Life
Fortoula "Toula" Nia Portokalos-MillerNia Vardalos
Ian Thomas MillerJohn CorbettSteven Eckholdt
Paris MillerArielle SugarmanElena Kampouris
Maria PortokalosLainie Kazan
Nick Portokalos
Costas "Gus" PortokalosMichael ConstantineMichael Constantine
Theia VoulaAndrea Martin
Nikki PortokalosGia Carides
Uncle TakiGerry Mendicino
Cousin AngeloJoey Fatone
Mana-YiayiaBess Meislercolspan="2"
Athena PortokalosStavroula Logothettis
MikeIan Gomezcolspan="2"
Rodney MillerBruce Graycolspan="2"
Harriet MillerFiona Reidcolspan="2"
Mrs. WhiteJayne Eastwoodcolspan="1"
Thiea FreidaMaria Vacratsis
YianniPeter Tharoscolspan="1"
JennieChrissy Paraskevopouloscolspan="1"
MarianthiKathryn Haggiscolspan="1"
IlariaJeanie Callejacolspan="1"
MargeKathryn Greenwoodcolspan="1"
EdieTannis Burnettcolspan="1"
Panos PortakalosMark Margoliscolspan="2"
GeorgeJohn Stamoscolspan="2"
AnnaRita Wilsoncolspan="2"
BennettAlex Wolffcolspan="2"
Northwestern RepRob Rigglecolspan="2"
Wedding PlannerAshleigh Rainscolspan="2"
PatrickJeff Whitecolspan="2"
AristotleElias Kacavascolspan="1"
VictoryMelina Kotselou

Additional crew and production detail

TitleCrew/Detail
Composer(s)CinematographerEditor(s)Production companiesDistributing companiesRunning time
My Big Fat Greek WeddingChris Wilson
Alexander Janko
Jeffrey JurMia GoldmanHBO Films
Playtone Films
Gold Circle Films
MPH Entertainment
IFC Films95 min
My Big Fat Greek LifeJohn Adair
Chris Wilson
Steve Hampton
Gil HubbsBarry L. Gold
Michael Karlich
Playtone Television
Brad Grey Television
Sony Pictures Television
Marsh McCall Productions
CBS
Sony Pictures Television
210 min
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2Christopher LennertzJim DenaultMarkus CzyzewskiHBO Films
Playtone Films
Gold Circle Films
Universal Pictures94 min[17]
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3Stephanie EconomouBarry PetersonAnnette Davey
Craig Herring
HBO Films
Focus Features
Gold Circle Films
The Playtone Company
Focus Features92 min[18]

Reception

Box office performance

FilmRelease dateBox office grossBox office rankingBudgetRef(s)
United States
opening weekend
North AmericaOther
territories
WorldwideAll time
North America
All time
worldwide
My Big Fat Greek WeddingApril 19, 2002$3,002,241$241,438,208$127,305,836$368,744,044
  1. 132
  1. 333
$5 million
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2March 25, 2016$17,861,950$59,689,605$30,943,036$90,632,641
  1. 1,389
$18 million
Totals$$$$23 million[19]

Critical and public response

FilmCriticalPublic
Rotten TomatoesMetacriticCinemaScore
My Big Fat Greek Wedding[20] 62/100 (29 reviews)[21] A–
My Big Fat Greek Life[22] 40/100 (13 reviews)[23]
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2[24] 37/100 (32 reviews)[25] A−[26]
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 330% (76 reviews)[27] 34/100 (23 reviews)[28] B

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002). Box Office Mojo. July 9, 2018.
  2. Web site: D'Alessandro. Anthony. Tartaglione. Nancy. 'Batman V. Superman' Targets Second-Best Pre-Summer Global Opening With $350M. Deadline Hollywood. 21 March 2016 . July 9, 2018.
  3. Web site: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016). Box Office Mojo. July 9, 2018.
  4. TV Review - My Big Fat Greek Life. Entertainment Weekly. 2018-02-15 . 2003-04-07.
  5. Web site: Top Grossing Movies that never hit #1. Box Office Mojo. 2018-02-15.
  6. Nia Vardalos Hints At My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. June 29, 2016. YouTube. ITV. 5:36. At time.
  7. Web site: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Is Officially In The Works . Screent Rant. Guerrero . Bethany. April 8, 2021. April 9, 2021.
  8. Web site: 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' in the works, Nia Vardalos confirms . Good Morning America. Stone . Megan . April 8, 2021. April 9, 2021.
  9. News: Nia Vardalos Tributes Michael Constatine; Shares Update On 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3'. Rosy. Cordero. October 1, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. April 3, 2022.
  10. News: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3: Nia Vardalos prepares for filming in Corfu . greekcitytimes.com. May 18, 2022. May 15, 2022. Athens. Bureau.
  11. Web site: Everything To Know About My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3. Screen Rant. June 27, 2022. Benjamin. Weiss. April 16, 2023.
  12. Web site: 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Wraps Filming in Greece. Collider. August 10, 2022. Makuochi. Echebiri. September 11, 2022.
  13. Web site: Nia Vardalos Announces 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Is Filming Now in Greece. Variety. Burton, Carson. June 22, 2022. June 23, 2022.
  14. Web site: Let the Fun Begin! 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Begins Filming in Greece. Collider. Mendelsohn, Jon. June 22, 2022. June 23, 2022.
  15. Nia Vardalos Spills on 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' Filmed in Greece for 'Family Reunion'. YouTube. November 9, 2022. The Talk. 0:33. At time.
  16. Web site: 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' To Hit Theaters In Early Fall. Deadline Hollywood. Anthony. D'Alessandro. February 17, 2023. February 17, 2023.
  17. Web site: MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2 (12A). British Board of Film Classification. March 2, 2016. April 25, 2023. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160307184536/http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/my-big-fat-greek-wedding-2-film. March 7, 2016.
  18. Web site: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (12A) . . August 8, 2023 . August 9, 2023.
  19. Web site: My Big Fat Greek Wedding Movies at the Box Office . . June 2, 2019 . July 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190714060653/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=greekwedding.htm . dead .
  20. my_big_fat_greek_wedding . My Big Fat Greek Wedding . m . .
  21. my-big-fat-greek-wedding . My Big Fat Greek Wedding . m . April 16, 2022 .
  22. my_big_fat_greek_life . My Big Fat Greek Life . tv . April 15, 2022 .
  23. my-big-fat-greek-life . My Big Fat Greek Life . tv . April 16, 2022 .
  24. my_big_fat_greek_wedding_2 . My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016) . m . .
  25. my-big-fat-greek-wedding-2 . My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 . m . April 16, 2022 .
  26. Web site: CinemaScore . . April 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220413083139/https://www.cinemascore.com/ . April 13, 2022 . live .
  27. my_big_fat_greek_wedding_3 . My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023) . m . September 8, 2023.
  28. my-big-fat-greek-wedding-3 . My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 . m . April 16, 2022 .