The rewrites of ‘Sister Act 3’ begin after the death of Maggie Smith

Sister Act 3 needs some “re-adjustments”. Dame Maggie Smith‘s death.

The highly anticipated film has been in the works for a while now. However, star Whoopi Goldberg has confirmed that the project has been postponed while the scripts are rewritten after Smith, who played Mother Superior in both the 1992 original and the 1993 sequel. Sister Act 2: Back in the habit – died in September at the age of 89.

The original Sister Act was a huge box office success, grossing over $231 million worldwide against a modest budget of $31 million. The film’s success spawned an immediate sequel and later inspired a successful Broadway musical adaptation in 2006, which has since been performed in multiple countries and languages.

“We have to make some adjustments because we just lost Maggie Smith, as you know,” Goldberg said in an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” “And so we’re going to get it done. We will get it done. It’s just a shift.”

Earlier this year, Goldberg — who plays Deloris Van Cartier in the film franchise — teased that the film would be released “soon,” but he didn’t have a specific date to offer. What many fans may not know is that the role of Deloris was originally written for Bette Midler, who turned the role down. The role was then offered to Whoopi Goldberg, who turned it into her own and received high praise for her performance.

“I can tell it’s coming. It comes around the mountain when it comes. It will be here soon. I’m excited. It’s time for it, you know, it’s time.” she told “Entertainment Tonight.”

After years of delays, the EGOT winner believes now is the right time for the film. Goldberg’s commitment to the franchise runs deep, as she not only starred in the franchise, but also served as an executive producer on it Sister Act 2demonstrating her early understanding of the importance of creative control in Hollywood.

“Because we have to laugh, you know? I don’t know what we’re getting into; but whatever it is, it’s going to make me chuckle a lot… I think I’m good when I make other people laugh too,” she explained.

“The ‘View’ cohost – who also co-produces the film Tyler Perry – previously revealed that she offered Pope Francis a cameo in the film because he seemed to be “a bit of a fan”. This isn’t the first time the franchise has had religious connections; the original film received the blessing of the Catholic Church and was even shown in the Vatican.

“I offered one. He said he would see what his time would be like,” Goldberg said.

In October 2022, the Color Purple The star admitted that she would like to see Nicki Minaj, Lizzo and Keke Palmer cast Sister Act 3. This follows in the franchise’s tradition of musical talent, as the second film notably launched Lauryn Hill’s career.

“I want everyone,” Goldberg said as host of Charlamagne Tha God on Comedy Central’s “Hell of A Week.” “I want as many people as possible to want to have some fun, because I really, really need some fun.”

The Sister Act franchise has left an indelible mark on popular culture, with the original film’s soundtrack going platinum and reaching No. 74 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. The sequel’s soundtrack also achieved significant success, featuring gospel-inspired versions of popular songs that still resonate with audiences today.

The franchise’s impact extends beyond entertainment, as it has inspired real-world initiatives in music education and community programs. The film’s theme of using music to bridge social and cultural divides has resonated with audiences around the world, leading to several community choir programs named after or inspired by Sister Act.

Additionally, the original film’s costume design – particularly the nuns’ habits – has become iconic in pop culture. The wardrobe department created over 300 non-habits for the first film alone, and the signature look has been referenced and parodied numerous times in popular media. The upcoming third installment is expected to continue the franchise’s tradition of combining music, comedy and social commentary while introducing new elements for today’s audiences.