Paramount Pictures is developing a sequel to the 2003 romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, with original star Kate Hudson returning to produce. Studio plans aim to reunite Hudson and Matthew McConaughey, though the early-stage project has not yet attached a screenwriter or confirmed cast members.
Paramount Pictures Develops Follow-Up to the 2003 Rom-Com Classic
More than two decades after its theatrical release, Paramount Pictures is officially developing a sequel to the hit romantic comedy How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Paramount released How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days in theaters on Feb. 7, 2003. The original 2003 film, directed by Donald Petrie and based on a picture book by Michele Alexander and Jeannie Long, grossed nearly $180 million worldwide against a reported $50 million budget, surpassing $177 million at the global box office.
The film centered on Andie, a magazine editor and columnist for a women’s magazine aiming to write an article about ways that women push men away. She sets out to pen the story based on her interactions with Ben, an advertising exec who is secretly confident that he can land any woman he wants as a date to his company’s ball, making a bet with friends to make her fall in love with him in 10 days. The original film followed Andie as she attempted to drive Ben away within 10 days for a women’s magazine feature, featuring yellow dresses, “You’re So Vain”, diamonds, tears, chaos and, of course, the love fern.
The follow-up project remains in its earliest stages with an unfinished cast and key roles still open, according to early trade reports. While studio plans intend for Hudson and former co-star Matthew McConaughey to reprise their roles as magazine columnist Andie Anderson and advertising executive Benjamin Barry, final casting depends on the script and a finalized story take, with the studio still seeking a screenwriter.
Behind the Scenes: Production Plans and Past On-Screen Chemistry
Kate Hudson is attached to produce the sequel alongside veteran producer Stacey Sher for Shiny Penny Productions. The production effort arrives during a broader Hollywood trend favoring nostalgic sequels to late-1990s and early-2000s hits, mirroring the box-office success of titles like The Devil Wears Prada 2, Scary Movie, and Toy Story 5.
Reflecting on the original production, McConaughey previously shared details about his initial casting and chemistry with Hudson during a 2024 interview with People magazine. Immediately, we were comfortable with each other, and we jacked with each other, and we busted each other's chops, and we laughed a lot,
he recalled.
There was a bit of rock and roll exchange, like, 'Oh, this could be some heavyweight fun.' And I think that's why I was cast, and that's why, for whatever extent, it worked.
Behind-the-scenes accounts also highlight Hudson’s persistence in securing McConaughey for the original lead role. During a 2022 Life In Pictures talk at BAFTA in London, Hudson shared that she had to fight for the Oscar winner to be cast in the role, noting that they just kept hitting their heads against the wall and the studio and she weren’t agreeing before establishing their shared on-screen energy.
Financial Legacies and Cultural Impact Two Decades Later
The yellow silk Carolina Herrera dress Hudson wore near the end of the film also became a much talked-about piece of modern cinema fashion. In 2023, Hudson and McConaughey celebrated the 20th anniversary of the film.
While fans speculate on how the characters’ lives and modern dating dynamics might look 23 years later, Paramount has not announced a production timeline or release date for the new project. Representatives for Hudson and McConaughey have been contacted for comment as the project moves forward in early development.
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