‘Election’ Sequel in the Works, Confirms Alexander Payne

THE LONG-AWAITED FOLLOW-UP

Alexander Payne, the creative genius behind the cult classic Election, has finally spilled the beans about a potential sequel to the beloved film. While fans have been holding their breath for over two decades, Payne has been cautious, wanting to ensure that any sequel lives up to the high standards set by its predecessor.

Sequel in the Works

The big news is that Tom Perotta, the brilliant mind behind the original book Election, has already penned a sequel. Even more exciting, Reese Witherspoon, who delivered a memorable performance in the first film, and Payne himself have engaged in discussions about the project. The prospect of their collaboration is tantalizing, to say the least.

However, before we pop the champagne bottles and break out the campaign slogans, it’s worth noting that Payne and his team aren’t ready to jump into production just yet. Other commitments are currently occupying their schedules, but the spark of creativity is alive and well.

A Sequel Worth Waiting For

For fans of the original, this news is nothing short of a cinematic dream come true. It’s been more than twenty years since Election graced our screens, leaving us hungry for more. Payne, like a meticulous chef, wants to craft a sequel that’s more “Godfather 2” than “Godfather 3,” emphasizing quality over haste.

In a recent interview with Editor-in-Chief Steve Weintraub at FilmSweep’s TIFF media studio at MARBL, Payne gave us a glimpse into the status of the Election sequel. He confirmed, “Tom Perotta, who wrote the book Election, has written a very fine sequel, and Reese Witherspoon and I have talked about it. And Jim Taylor and I, my co-writer, have talked about doing it. But we just haven’t gotten to it yet.”

Payne acknowledges that creative endeavors take time, and he has other projects on his plate. However, he leaves us with a glimmer of hope, saying, “It would be lovely to do.”

A Reunion to Look Forward To

The idea of Payne and Witherspoon reuniting for a sequel is enough to make any Election fan’s heart skip a beat. Payne expresses his eagerness to collaborate with Witherspoon again, stating, “That’s another actor that I’ve been dying to work with for all these years is Reese Witherspoon.” Their camaraderie, formed during the making of Election, has endured, with Payne revealing, “We’re always throwing each other flowers and asking when we’re gonna work together again. So, there’s a structure in place for us to do that, but I just haven’t pulled the trigger yet. It’s kind of up to me. I just have some other stuff before, on my docket.”

The Godfather Dilemma

Payne humorously ponders a crucial question: Can the sequel be “Godfather 2” and not “Godfather 3”? With all due respect to Francis Ford Coppola, who directed “Godfather 3,” Payne wants to ensure that the Election sequel surpasses the expectations set by the original, just as “Godfather 2” did.

What’s ‘Election’ About?

For those who need a quick refresher, Election, released after Payne’s earlier success with Citizen Ruth, starred Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick. This satirical comedy, adapted from Tom Perotta’s 1998 novel, tells the story of Tracy Flick (Witherspoon), a high school student determined to become the student body president. However, Jim McAllister (Broderick), the social studies teacher, becomes an unexpected adversary, going to extraordinary lengths to alter the election’s outcome.

While We Wait…

As we eagerly await more updates on the potential Election sequel, Alexander Payne’s latest film, “The Holdovers,” is set to hit theaters on November 10, 2023. This film promises to be another compelling addition to Payne’s illustrious career, keeping us entertained while we keep our fingers crossed for more Election adventures.

Stay tuned for more news and updates from TIFF 2023. The anticipation for an Election sequel is real, and we’re here for every exciting development!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about sequel

More about sequel

• Election Sequel News
• Alexander Payne Interview
• Reese Witherspoon
• Tom Perotta
• Godfather 2
• Godfather 3
• Original Election Movie
• The Holdovers
• TIFF 2023 Coverage