The sequel to the 1995 hit film Waiting To Exhale is in production. Loretta Devine, one of the original stars of the film, visited Hollywood Today Live Thursday and told the show hosts that a follow-up is being written.
Devine, who was visiting to promote her latest work, NBC’s “The Carmichael Show,” said as far as she knows, “They’re still writing on it.”
A sequel has long been in development, but after the death of two of the film’s stars – Gregory Hines, who played Devine’s love interest, in 2003, and Whitney Houston in 2012 – things fell apart.
“Well, you know everything happened so quickly,” Devine said. “Because Gregory passed and then Whitney passes – like you can’t start a movie with two funerals – and so they were, like, the key characters.”
“Waiting To Exhale” is based on author Terry McMillan’s novel of the same name. It centered on four African-American women from different backgrounds as they navigated relationships with men. “Exhale” also stars Angela Bassett and Lela Rochon.
The long-time actress divulged that members of the original cast are on board for a reunion, which included Houston.
“She was like ‘Oh God, I can’t wait,’ ” said Devine. ” ‘I’m gonna get myself together to do this!’ and, um, it just didn’t happen.”
McMillan told Sister 2 Sister that she didn’t believe a follow-up would happen, citing Houston’s death as the reason. But Devine says she thinks the author is “still trying to make it happen.”
As for a potential replacement for Houston, Devine didn’t name any actresses or singers in particular, but she is excited about the crop of young talent who could take on the late vocalist’s role.
“Oh, they have so much new young, great talent, so it would be limitless girls that could go in.”
This isn’t the first time that a star of the movie has discussed a sequel. In 2013, Bassett, who directed a Houston biopic, told The Wendy Williams Show that she was hopeful for an “Exhale” continuation.
Devine’s entire appearance on Hollywood Today Live can be seen below.
