1994 Oscar-Winning Comedy Gets Sequel & Returning Cast Update From Original Director

Summary

• A sequel to
  The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
  has been confirmed, with the original director returning.
• The original trio is supposedly “onboard” for the sequel.
• The timing for the sequel is crucial, addressing the current political climate and need for trans visibility.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is now getting a sequel with exciting returning cast members. The 1994 comedy focused on the experience of two drag queens and a transgender woman who travel through the desert to perform a cabaret act. The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert was directed by Stephan Elliot and featured a leading cast of Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce, and Terrence Stamp.

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
won an Oscar for Best Costume Design.

As per The Guardian, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is officially getting a sequel from the original director. According to this update, Elliot will return to write, direct, and produce the project, which already has a script completed. Former stars Weaving, Pearce, and Stamp are reportedly “onboard” to play their roles again. The details of said story have not been revealed, and the project is still in negotiations with production companies. Elliot explained his reasoning for making the sequel below:

“People have been screaming for me to do this for 30 years. And suddenly I had the realization that we’re all getting old. We’re losing people. And with Trump coming in now — it’s all about to erupt again. Somebody said to me, ‘Is this the right time to make this film?’ I said, ‘It is the perfect time to make this film.’”

A Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Sequel Will Face Challenges

Elliot makes a poignant point when discussing the relevance of a sequel of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. According to the announcement, and implied in Elliot’s statement, the director was initially reluctant to continue the story of Mitzi, Felicia, and Bernadette. However, he realized that 2024 is “the perfect time to make this film.” Mentioning former U.S. President Donald Trump, Elliot is likely making reference to the anti-trans policies that have rattled the country during and after Trump’s presidency. Broadcasting trans and queer stories is thus of utmost importance in the here and now.

In his announcement of the film, Elliot also said that star Stamp believes that there are more stories to tell with these characters. While it is great to have buy-in from the original Priscilla cast, Stamp’s role will prove particularly challenging in the sequel. In the 90s film era, it was bold to even have any transgender characters in a movie. Now, there is more awareness that a trans woman should ideally be played by a trans woman, or, at the very least, any woman. Male actors such as Eddie Redmayne have gotten criticism for playing trans women in the past.

Thus, the sequel to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert could receive backlash if Stamp is to play a trans woman in 2024. The nostalgia for his part might shield the octogenarian from some criticism, as his role was beloved at the time of its release. Whatever casting decision is ultimately made, hopefully The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert 2 will provide a modernized version of the story that provides strong trans visibility at a time when that is needed in the media.

Source: The Guardian