26 years after the release of 10 Things I Hate About You, director Gil Junger has now shared updates on its sequel and other follow-up installments. Released in 1999, the teen romantic comedy focuses on Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s Cameron, who attempts to woo his high-school crush, Bianca.
However, in order to date Bianca, Cameron must ensure that the former’s older and anti-social sister Kat, played by Julia Styles, also finds a partner. The feature garnered much praise from critics and audiences alike following its release, prompting viewers to ask about the future of the franchise. More than two decades later, Junger has finally come up with an answer.
Gil Junger says 10 Things I Hate About You sequel will have Heath Ledger reference
Gil Junger disclosed that he is currently writing the script for a 10 Things I Hate About You sequel with Naya Elle James. This would be the first entry in a planned trilogy. Junger also noted that the film will give an ode to Heath Ledger, the lead of the original movie.
While speaking to PEOPLE about the follow-up edition to his directorial debut, Junger noted, “10 Things I Hate About Dating is definitively in the works as a feature film. We’re developing it right now.” Aside from himself and James, Andrew Lazar, who served as a producer in the original film, is also returning for the sequel.
Similar to its predecessor, which was a modern-day retelling of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About Dating will draw inspiration from Molière’s 1666 play The Misanthrope.
Talking about whether the 10 Things I Hate About You sequel will honor Heath Ledger, who tragically lost his life in 2008, Junger stated, “I think that’s a beautiful idea, and the answer is now going to be yes. … He deserves to be loved.”
The 70-year-old filmmaker plans to launch two more films in the franchise after 10 Things I Hate About Dating, titled 10 Things I Hate About Marriage and 10 Things I Hate About Kids, respectively.
