Summary:
- Director Stephan Elliott confirms sequel to “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” with original stars returning.
- Sequel promises deeper exploration of characters’ lives and new storylines.
- Script in development for five years, aims to address current social and political climate.
Get ready to dust off your dancing shoes and don your most outrageous costumes! A sequel to the beloved 1994 Australian film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is officially in the works.
The news comes courtesy of director Stephan Elliott himself, who confirmed he will be back at the helm as writer, director, and producer. Even better, the film’s original stars – Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce, and Hugo Weaving – are all signed on to reprise their iconic roles as drag queens Tick/Mitzi Del Bra (Weaving), Adam/Felicia Jollygoodfellow (Pearce), and Bernadette Bassenger (Stamp).
While negotiations with production companies and financiers are still underway, Elliott assures fans that this won’t be a retread of the original. He acknowledges the film’s enduring popularity but emphasizes that there’s more to the story than meets the eye.
“People think of the original film as a lot of costumes and music and great fun, but it’s also a dagger in the heart,” he says. “I’m not going to do just tits and feathers.”
Elliott, now 76 himself, recognizes the changing social and political landscape. He feels the time is right to revisit these characters and their stories, particularly in light of recent events.
“People have been screaming for me to do this for 30 years,” he said. “And suddenly I had the realisation that we’re all getting old. We’re losing people. And with Trump coming in now – it’s all about to erupt again. Somebody said to me, ‘Is this the right time to make this film?’ I said, ‘It is the perfect time to make this film.'”
The story will pick up partly in Australia but will also venture overseas. It will explore how the drag queens’ lives have evolved and introduce a new generation to the mix.
“You have to remember that Tick had a kid – now that kid has grown up and now he’s got his own family,” Elliott hints. “We have our three principals, but we have to build in the new world.”
The script has been five years in the making, with Elliott attributing the final push to the passing of his parents in recent years.
“This is not a dire story, it is pretty extravagant,” he assures fans. “I’m going to give RuPaul a run for her money, let me tell you that,” he added. “But I don’t want to repeat myself, so it’s taken me a long while to come up with something, to realise that there’s something that needs to be said about tolerance.”
As if by destiny, the original bus used in the film resurfaced in remote New South Wales just recently after being missing for 30 years. The History Trust of South Australia is currently restoring the vehicle, and Elliott confirms it will be making an appearance in the new film.
“When the bus surfaced it felt like, is this some kind of celestial lineup?” he added. “There’s lots of work to be done. But we’re off.”
So, prepare yourselves for another fabulous adventure with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert! It promises to be a wild ride filled with heart, humor, and a touch of social commentary.
