Michele MorroneThe Italian actor and model best known to most fans for starring in the erotic drama film 365 Days and its two sequels, has joined the cast of A Simple Favor 2.
The sequel film just got the green light from Amazon Prime Video this week and will air on the streaming platform.
Paul Feig returns to the director’s chair, while stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively will reprise their roles, according to Deadline.
Along with Morrone, a number of new additions to the cast have been announced, including Elena Sofia Ricci, Elizabeth Perkins, Alex Newell, Taylor Ortega and Lorenzo de Moor.
The first film, A Simple Favor (2018), was a hit with fans and critics alike, grossing $97.6 million at the global box office on a $20 million budget.
Michele Morrone, 33, is among the actors joining the cast of the Simple Favor 2 sequel.
Morrone, 33, saw his star rise around the world following his portrayal of the lead role of Massimo Torricelli, a mafia boss, in 365 Days and the sequels 365 Days: This Day (2022) and The Next 365 Days (2022). .
In addition to acting and modeling, the Reggio Calabria, Italy native also has a career in music, with the singer and guitarist releasing two studio albums: Dark Room (2020) and Double (2023).
According to a synopsis, A Simple Favor 2 sees the return of Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Lively) as they head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a wealthy Italian businessman.
“Along with glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP to a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from Marina Grande to Capri’s town square,” The Hollywood Reporter revealed.
The new script, based on Bell’s characters, was written by Jessica Sharzer, who wrote the first film, with revisions by Steve Yockey, Laeta Kalogridis and Feig.
Feig and Laura Fischer of Feigco Entertainment will produce, and Sharzer will also executive produce.
Some of the other actors returning for the sequel include Aparna Nancherla, Henry Golding, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Joshua Satine, Ian Ho and Kelly McCormack.
Kendrick, 37, is excited about the sequel, saying Stephanie “has gotten a little smarter,” but “at the end of the day she’s still Stephanie,” according to MY! News.
The Italian actor, singer and model is best known to most of his fans for his role as Don Massimo Torricelli in #65 Days and the two sequels 365 Days: This Day and The Next 365 Days.
In addition to his acting and modeling, the Reggio Calabria, Italy native also has a career in music, with the singer and guitarist releasing two studio albums: Dark Room (2020) and Double (2023).
Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are among the actors reprising their roles in A Simple Favor 2
A Simple Favor 2 is the sequel to the 2018 black comedy directed by Paul Feig, who returns for the new film, written by Jessica Sharzer, like the original.
“I actually already read the script,” the Oscar-nominated actress told the outlet, “and it’s so good.’
Amazon MGM Studios announced Wednesday that the sequel, which will be co-produced by Lions Gate, will begin filming this spring and will stream on Amazon Prime Video.
In the first film, based on the novel by Darcey Bell, Stephanie becomes captivated by the sophisticated and glamorous Emily after they bond over martinis, and Stephanie quickly becomes somewhat insecure around the clearly cosmopolitan Emily.
“She’s an enigma, my wife,” Emily’s husband said in the film’s original trailer, before sharing the strange description “she’s like a beautiful ghost.”
According to a synopsis, A Simple Favor 2 sees the return of Stephanie Smothers (Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Lively) as they head to the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a wealthy Italian businessman.
“Along with glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP to a wedding with more twists and turns than the walk from Marina Grande to Capri Square,” The Hollywood Reporter revealed.
A scene in a park follows, and Stephanie takes a funny photo of Emily, who quickly instructs Stephanie to “delete it,” without explanation.
Stephanie then receives a mysterious call from Emily, who tells her that she needs her help with “just a simple favor.”
A few days later, Stephanie announces on her blog that her friend Emily has apparently disappeared.
In the end, Stephanie begins to investigate Emily’s past and is warned not to “snoop around” because “she’s not a normal person.”
Kendrick is excited about the sequel, saying that Stephanie “has gotten a little smarter,” but “at the end of the day she’s still Stephanie,” according to E! News
Amazon MGM Studios announced Wednesday that the sequel, which will be co-produced by Lions Gate, plans to begin filming this spring and will stream on Amazon Prime Video.
The first film was a hit with fans and critics, grossing $97.6 million at the worldwide box office against a budget of $20 million.
Images then appear of Emily sporting magenta hair and matching thigh-high boots.
Things escalate as more voiceovers explain that Emily’s husband apparently took out a life insurance policy on his wife, who is now being sought by a massive police search.
At the end of the film, Emily is sentenced to 20 years in prison and Stephanie has created a detective agency.
Following its release on Amazon Prime Video, the crime comedy thriller film will eventually stream in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.