Thirty years after they first bluffed their way through a high school reunion, Romy and Michele are back. Mira Sorvino confirmed this week that production on the long-awaited sequel to the 1997 cult classic has officially begun.

“OK, I just want to document the fact that we finished the first day of Romy and Michele 2, and ‘one day’ has become day one,” Sorvino said in a video posted to Instagram. The Oscar winner, clearly moved, added that the project is the “biggest dream project ever.”

For fans of the original, the return of the two leads is only half the story. The production has managed to secure a significant portion of the original creative DNA that made the 1997 film a touchstone of 90s comedy. Robin Schiff, who wrote the original screenplay, is back to pen the sequel. Perhaps most importantly for the film’s distinct visual identity, costume designer Mona May has also returned to the fold.

A Franchise Reborn

The original film followed Romy (Sorvino) and Michele (Lisa Kudrow) as they traveled from Los Angeles to Tucson, inventing a fake history as the creators of Post-its to impress their former classmates. It was a modest box office performer that found a massive second life on home video and cable.

This time, the project is moving directly to streaming as a Hulu Original under the 20th Century Studios banner. Tim Federle is set to direct and produce, stepping into a world that has been dormant for three decades. The studio is betting that the chemistry between Sorvino and Kudrow remains as potent as it was in the late 90s.

The Ensemble Returns

The cast list reads like a reunion of the original production. Alan Cumming, Janeane Garofalo, Camryn Manheim, and Julia Campbell are all confirmed to reprise their roles. The production has also added a new layer of talent to the ensemble, including Keegan-Michael Key, Rob Huebel, Breckin Meyer, Patrick Warburton, and Nathan Lee Graham.

Behind the camera, the technical team is equally focused on continuity. Director of photography Marco Fargnoli and production designer Hillary Gurtler are tasked with updating the aesthetic while maintaining the campy, high-fashion spirit of the original.

Key Takeaways

  • Production is live: Filming has officially commenced on the sequel, which will debut exclusively on Hulu.
  • Creative continuity: Original writer Robin Schiff and costume designer Mona May are both returning to the project.
  • Expanded cast: While original stars Sorvino and Kudrow anchor the film, the sequel adds Keegan-Michael Key and Patrick Warburton to the roster.

The project is currently in the early stages of principal photography. With the script locked and the cameras rolling, the next milestone for the production will be the wrap of filming, which is expected to trigger a significant marketing push from Hulu in the coming months. The studio has yet to announce a release date, but the completion of the first day of shooting marks the end of a thirty-year wait.