Red, White & Royal Blue author shares major update on highly-anticipated sequel
The sequel was given the go ahead by Amazon MGM Studios in May 2024, following the original film’s success
By Aaron Sugg
Red, White & Royal Blue author Casey McQuiston has shared a major update on the highly-anticipated sequel to the gay love story, hinting that Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine will reprise their roles sooner than we expected.
At a recent event, author McQuiston said that “pencils are kind of down for now” regarding the sequel. The phrase sparked concern among fans, but McQuiston quickly addressed the comment on social media.
“‘Pencils down’ is a figure of speech” – author Casey McQuiston on Red, White & Royal Blue sequel
According to DNA, the non-binary author wrote on their Instagram Story: “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but ‘pencils down’ is a figure of speech that refers to when you’re taking the SAT or something and it’s time to put your pencil down bc the section of the test is done.
“I’ve used this expression, like 100,000 times to describe the feeling of turning in a manuscript, it’s not that deep!”
The sequel was given the go ahead by Amazon MGM Studios in May 2024, following the original film’s success as Prime Video’s number one movie worldwide for three consecutive weeks in 2023.
“I kept saying that we’ll have succeeded at this adaptation” – Writer-director Matthew López on the film adaptation
Because McQuiston’s 2019 novel has no sequel, the gay rom-com will feature new material. Writer-director Matthew López told Deadline last year: “When we were starting this process, I kept saying that we’ll have succeeded at this adaptation… if you feel the same way at the end of the film, as you felt finishing the book. There’s no book to guide us, but what we have is Casey’s original thoughts and original ideas.”
The sequel will see stars Perez and Galitzine returning to their roles. López is back to direct and will co-write the script alongside McQuiston who is also set to be executive producer.
In the first Emmy-nominated film, Alex Claremont-Diaz (Perez), the son of US President Ellen Claremont (Uma Thurman), has a public mishap with Britain’s Prince Henry (Galitzine). Alex and Henry are forced to act as best friends to mend their public perception, which leads them to falling in love.
“I felt a sense of uncertainty sometimes about whether I’m taking up someone’s space” – Nicholas Galitzine on playing a gay role
Like any good gay love story, the first film featured R-rated sex scenes, with the pair barely able to keep their hands off each other.
The pair identify as both straight males despite playing gay roles. Speaking in an interview with GQ last year, Galitzine said: “I felt a sense of uncertainty sometimes about whether I’m taking up someone’s space, and perhaps guilt. At the same time, I see those characters as not solely their sexuality.”
Zakhar Perez has since expressed hope the franchise could stretch beyond two films. “It could be a trilogy,” he said. “I mean, could you imagine having the first queer trilogy for young people to log in and see themselves on TV?” He also said: “I would love for it to be a staple for Amazon and for people to come login and go, ‘Oh, this is my happy place, this is a teachable moment, but I also am going to laugh…”