Richard Gere to check in to Best Exotic Marigold Hotel sequel

Richard Gere is in talks to join the forthcoming sequel to 2011's surprise box office smash The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, reports Deadline. Reports of a followup to John Madden's film about English retirees in India first emerged in October last year. The original film starred Judi Dench, Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton and Bill Nighy. All but Wilkinson are expected to return when the sequel shoots early next year. Gere, should he sign on the dotted line, would play a new character. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was not a hit with critics – the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw labelled it "a film that looks as if it has been conceived to be shown on a continuous loop in a Post Office queue" – but made an impressive $130m (£81m) worldwide on a budget of just $10m (£6.2m). Based on author Deborah Moggach's 2004 novel These Foolish Things, its success was hailed by some as evidence of a gap in the market for films targeting an older demographic. Wilton told the latest edition of the Radio Times: "We had a wonderful time shooting this film the first time and I am thrilled we will be going back in January to do another one. As far as I know everybody will be returning." Deadline's report suggests Madden is once again on board, and the sequel's screenplay is reportedly by original writer Ol Parker.