Watch: First Trailer for ‘Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’

Fox Searchlight has released the first trailer for “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” eight months ahead of its March platform release in the U.S.

The original “Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” was a surprise hit and grossed $135 million worldwide in 2012. The new project is the first sequel ever released by Fox Searchlight.

The trailer features several female cast members impressed by the appearance of Richard Gere. John Madden has returned to direct the sequel from a script by Ol Parker. Returning cast includes Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Celia Imrie, Ronald Pickup, Penelope Wilton, Diana Hardcastle, Tena Desae and Lillete Dubey.

“I couldn’t resist the chance to come and visit the old crumbling ruins and see how the hotel was doing as well,” Wilton chirps.

Blueprint Pictures’ Graham Broadbent and Peter Czernin are producing and Participant’s Jeff Skoll is executive producer. Fox Searchlight Pictures has worldwide rights and will co-finance in association with Participant Media and Image Nation Abu Dhabi.

The sequel is set with Patel and Smith’s characters co-managing The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful. Gere, David Strathairn and Tamsin Greig have joined the cast.

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