Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 27, 2025 · Entertainment

Keira Knightley & Parminder Nagra Reunion: Bend It Like Beckham Sequel in the Works!

Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha is set to create a sequel more than 20 years after its release

BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM SEQUEL ON THE HORIZON: GURINDER CHADHA TEASES LONG-AWAITED FOLLOW-UP

In a move that's got fans of the iconic 2002 film buzzing, acclaimed director Gurinder Chadha has announced plans to bring back the beloved characters of Bend It Like Beckham in an all-new sequel. This highly anticipated project comes at a time when women's football is experiencing a surge in popularity, thanks in part to the England Lionesses' impressive Euro 2025 campaign.

Chadha, who also helmed the hit teen comedy Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, has been approached almost twice a week since the original film's release with requests for a sequel. However, it wasn't until recently that she felt inspired to revisit the characters and continue their story. "We've been part of changing the game for women," Chadha told thescholarlynote.com in an exclusive interview. "So, it felt like this was a good time for me to go back and investigate the characters."

The hit 2002 film, which starred Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra, is credited with inspiring a generation of women to take up football

The 25th-anniversary mark of the original film is just around the corner, coinciding with the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. Chadha hopes to reunite the original cast, including Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley, and has even hinted at recruiting members of the current England squad for cameo roles.

A Sequel Long Overdue

When Bend It Like Beckham first hit theaters in 2002, it was a surprise box office hit, raking in almost £60 million on a budget of just £3.5 million. The film told the story of Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a young Sikh woman who dreams of becoming a professional footballer despite her parents' plans for her to pursue a law degree and marriage.

Gurinder, who has also directed Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, is aiming for 2027 for the next instalment, to mark both the film's 25th anniversary and the Fifa Women's World Cup in Brazil

Enter Jules (Keira Knightley), a free-spirited white female striker who becomes Jess's mentor and friend. Together, they navigate the challenges of pursuing their passion in a sport where women were often marginalized. The film's impact was felt far beyond the box office, inspiring a generation of young women to take up football.

Chadha had never intended for Bend It Like Beckham to be a hit; instead, she hoped it would "uplift girls who were always being told how to dress and what to say." She wanted to show that women could have it all – career, family, and personal fulfillment. And while the film's message resonated with audiences worldwide, Chadha acknowledges that there's still much work to be done.

Keira Knightley: A Breakthrough Role

The director revealed that she has been asked almost twice a week since the original film was released to come up with a sequel but has yet to decided whether it will be another film or TV series

Knightley, who was just 18 when Bend It Like Beckham premiered in the US, credits the film for launching her career. However, she revealed on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last year that she was initially mocked by friends for taking on the role.

"I literally remember telling people that I was doing it, and saying, 'It's called "bend it like Beckham,"' and them going, 'Oh, that's really embarrassing,'" Knightley shared. Her friends thought it was a joke, but little did they know, Bend It Like Beckham would become a beloved classic.

The film's success paved the way for Knightley to take on more prominent roles in films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Love Actually, both released in 2003. These breakthrough performances cemented her status as one of Hollywood's brightest young stars.

She said: 'A lot has changed since the original movie, but I think that people still don't think that women should play football. There are people who still don't take it seriously, although the Lionesses are riding high'

A Sequel with a Message

As Chadha prepares to bring back the characters of Bend It Like Beckham, she hopes to continue the film's legacy by challenging societal norms and expectations. "There are people who still don't take it seriously, although the Lionesses are riding high," Chadha noted. She believes that women's football is still underappreciated, but with films like Bend It Like Beckham inspiring a new generation of players, attitudes are slowly changing.

The sequel's storyline remains under wraps for now, but one thing is certain – it will be a film that empowers women and celebrates their achievements. With Chadha at the helm and a talented cast on board, fans can expect nothing less than magic.

Gurinder added that she hopes to reunite the original cast and that members of the current England squad would be 'queuing up' to take on cameo roles; pictured England footballer Chloe Kelly

When asked if she'd consider making a TV series instead of a film, Chadha laughed, "I think we'll stick with the film for now, but never say never!" With a script in development and a release date set for 2027, Bend It Like Beckham fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief – the sequel they've been waiting for is coming.