Lights, camera, action! The Peach State’s own Tyler Perry is bringing marital mayhem back to the big screen – or rather, Netflix’s streaming empire – as production officially rolled on Why Did I Get Married Again? this week.
And while the cast is soaking up the sun on the stunning shores of Lake Como, Italy, Atlanta’s iconic skyline and Tyler Perry Studios are gearing up for their starring role in the highly anticipated third chapter of Perry’s beloved franchise.
Tyler Perry Filming Why Did I Get Married Franchise
Filming kicked off on September 29, with the ensemble cast – including returning favorites and a powerhouse new addition – spotted laughing and lounging lakeside in Italy for the film’s romantic retreat scene: But don’t worry, ATL: Production is set to shift back home to our vibrant city later this month, where Perry’s sprawling 330-acre Tyler Perry Studios will once again serve as the heartbeat of the project.
It’s a full-circle moment for the franchise that first put Atlanta on the map for Hollywood’s elite back in 2007.
For those needing a refresher (or just a nostalgic binge-watch prompt), the original Why Did I Get Married? – adapted from Perry’s smash stage play – followed four couples unpacking their relational baggage during a snowy Colorado getaway.
It raked in over $55 million at the box office and spawned a 2010 sequel, Why Did I Get Married Too?, which jetted the gang to the Bahamas for more drama, divorce threats, and that unforgettable volcano climax.
The films’ combined global haul topped $115 million, proving Perry’s knack for blending heartfelt laughs with gut-punch truths about love, loyalty, and everything in between. 2
Now, 15 years after the last “I do” fallout, Perry is reuniting (most of) the original crew for Why Did I Get Married Again?, a standalone sequel that dives into how time – and kids – have tested these enduring bonds.
The logline? The friends reconvene as Marcus (Michael Jai White) and Angela’s (Tasha Smith) daughter preps for her big day, forcing the parents to confront the messy mirrors they’ve held up to their own unions: “Realizing their children have grown up to be so much like them, they must reflect on the examples they’ve set and ask themselves that age-old question, why did they get married… again?”
Perry, who writes, directs, produces, and stars as the ever-optimistic Dr. Terry Brock, couldn’t hide his excitement in a recent Instagram post: “Really having fun with this group again!! Filming is going great! It’s hilarious, poignant, and powerful. Can’t wait for y’all to see this one! Here we go again!!”
Teasing the script back in July, he dropped the “table draft” cover page – a cheeky nod to fans who’ve been clamoring for this reunion since the credits rolled on the sequel.
Who Are the Cast Members for Why Did I Get Married Again?
The cast list is a who’s-who of Perryverse royalty, blending franchise vets with fresh faces and a surprise Oscar-nominated powerhouse:
- Returning Stars: Tasha Smith (Angela), Michael Jai White (Marcus), Jill Scott (Sheila), Sharon Leal (Diane), Lamman Rucker (Lamont), and Richard T. Jones (Mike) – all slipping back into roles that feel like old friends (or frenemies). 3
- The Wild Card: Taraji P. Henson joins the fray in an undisclosed role, marking her fifth Perry project after hits like Acrimony and Netflix’s Straw. Fans are already buzzing about her potential to shake up the group’s dynamic – could she be the voice of unfiltered truth? 7
- Next-Gen Vibes: Newcomers like Da’Vinchi, Laya Deleon Hayes, Jaden Michael, Armani Greer, Everett Osborne, Charles L. Smith, Derrick A. King, and Sydney Winbush bring the younger perspective, playing the kids who’ve inherited more than just good looks. 18
Notably absent? Janet Jackson’s Dr. Patricia Agnew and the late Malik Yoba’s Gavin (whose dramatic exit in the sequel still stings).
While Perry tagged Jackson in his script reveal, scheduling conflicts – including her ongoing Together Again tour – might keep her sidelined this time around. 8 But with this stacked lineup, the emotional fireworks are guaranteed.
What’s Next
For Atlanta’s film community, this is more than just another Perry production – it’s a testament to our city’s unstoppable rise as a global filmmaking hub. Tyler Perry Studios, with its 12 state-of-the-art soundstages and backlots mimicking everything from White Houses to Wakandan palaces, has hosted blockbusters like Black Panther and Marvel’s Thunderbolts, but Perry’s homegrown projects like this one keep the local economy buzzing.
Expect road closures, casting calls for extras, and that signature ATL energy infusing every frame when cameras return stateside. (Pro tip: Keep an eye on Midtown and the studio lot for sneaky set sightings.)
As Perry’s latest Netflix collab – hot on the heels of Ruth & Boaz cracking the streamer’s global Top 10 – Why Did I Get Married Again? promises to blend comedy, catharsis, and a dash of faith-based wisdom that resonates from Lake Como to Cascade Heights.
No release date yet, but with production in full swing, we’re betting on a holiday-season drop to spark those family dinner debates.
What do you think, ATL? Ready to revisit these rocky roads to romance? Drop your hot takes in the comments – and maybe tag a friend who’s overdue for a marriage check-in.
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