Netflix has had a couple of surprise hits on their hands this past year in the romantic comedy genre. First there was Set It Up, which was followed by To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Although the streaming giant doesn’t release viewing figures, it was clear from social media chatter that these films were being watched by large amounts of people.
Thus, to no one’s surprise, a To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before sequel is in the works. This makes even more sense when you realise that the film itself is based on a book that is the first in a trilogy of novels by Jenny Han that continue the story of Lara Jean. So the story is already there, and with the cast expressing a desire to return, this was a no-brainer.
The news comes after it was announced that Paramount Pictures just struck a new multipicture deal with Netflix, in which Paramount will produce films specifically for the streaming giant. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before wasn’t actually made for Netflix, it was sold to them after being produced independently.
Awesomeness, now owned by Paramount’s parent company Viacom after being acquired back in August, produced the film, and will now do the same for the sequel.
The second book in Han’s trilogy is titled P.S. I Still Love You, however the first portion of that book was actually already covered in the film, with the second book beginning with Lara Jean trying to figure out who released the infamous pool video tape. The story gets even more complicated when one of the boys Lara Jean writes her back, and the two childhood friends reunite.
Despite the first film already using the beginning of the second book, this shouldn’t be much of a problem to figure out. This is what screenwriters are often hired to do anyway. All the main actors are expected to return for the sequel, but thus far there’s no news on whether director Susan Johnson will also helm the follow-up.
Romantic comedies will likely be a major part of the new Paramount-Netflix deal, as it seems that the types of movies produced under this deal will be the kinds that don’t have much of a home in the multiplex any more. Romantic comedies, once a major Hollywood, star-driven staple, have been eroded much like other similar middle class movies.
But clearly the genre still has plenty of fans, and Netflix looks likely to be the new home of the romcom.
#Peace.Love.ToAllTheBoysIveLovedBefore
