Sequel in Early Development
Paramount Pictures is planning a sequel to the romantic comedy 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days', with Kate Hudson, the original star, set to produce. The studio aims for Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, her former co-star, to return, but no official casting decisions have been made. The project is in its initial stages, seeking a screenwriter, and the casting process will be guided by the script's vision.[S1][S2]
Stacey Sher, a renowned producer with credits like 'Pulp Fiction', 'Gattaca', 'Erin Brockovich', 'Vanilla Sky', and 'Django Unchained' to her name, will collaborate with Hudson under her Shiny Penny banner. The sequel is still in its infancy, with no writer or logline confirmed, according to an insider close to the project.[S1][S2]
Original Film's Legacy
Directed by Donald Petrie, the initial 2003 romantic comedy achieved significant commercial success, earning more than $178 million globally on a production budget of approximately $50 million. The plot centered on a journalist, played by Kate Hudson, and an ad agency worker, portrayed by Matthew McConaughey, who start dating under false pretenses. While she secretly tries to make him dump her for a story, he has wagered that he can win her heart in under two weeks, leading to unexpected romance.[S2][S3]
The movie features a stellar supporting cast, including Kathryn Hahn, Adam Goldberg, Thomas Lennon, Michael Michele, and Shalom Harlow. It draws inspiration from a picture book by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long. With a 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, this romantic comedy has achieved cult status.[S3][S4]
Nostalgia Wave and Stars' Careers
The sequel comes amid a wave of 2000s nostalgia in Hollywood, with projects like 'The Devil Wears Prada 2,' 'Practical Magic 2,' 'Shrek 5,' and 'Scary Movie' either recently released or in development. This trend has made sequels to beloved films increasingly common.[S1][S5]
Hudson recently earned her second Oscar nomination for the 2025 film 'Song Sung Blue' and stars in Netflix's comedy series 'Running Point.' McConaughey, who won the Best Actor Oscar for 'Dallas Buyers Club,' has been absent from romantic comedies for years but recently described the original film as an 'anchor' in the genre. He also noted that it remains his highest-paying film in residuals.[S1][S5]
