‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days 2’ Revealed: Kate Hudson Takes Producer Role in Paramount Sequel

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days 2 is officially in development at Paramount Pictures, with Kate Hudson taking on a new role as producer for the long-awaited romantic comedy sequel, marking the studio’s latest bet on Y2K franchise nostalgia.

More than two decades after audiences fell in love with Andie Anderson and Benjamin Barry’s romantic deception, Paramount Pictures is officially moving forward with a sequel to the beloved 2003 romantic comedy. According to exclusive reports from Variety, the studio has placed the project in early development, with Kate Hudson stepping into a producer role through her Shiny Penny banner alongside veteran producer Stacey Sher.

A source close to the project confirmed that the sequel remains in the “very early days,” with Paramount currently seeking a screenwriter before any formal casting decisions can be made. The intention, however, is to reunite Hudson with her original co-star Matthew McConaughey, though the actor has not yet officially signed on to reprise his role as advertising executive Benjamin Barry.

The sequel announcement comes after Hudson had previously teased the possibility during an interview earlier this year, telling USA TODAY in April: “If it was the right script and the right way in, I think that I would definitely be open to it”. Now, that openness has transformed into active involvement as a producer on the project, representing a significant step beyond her original role as lead actress.

Paramount declined to comment on the record, but industry sources indicate the studio views the franchise as a prime candidate for the ongoing Y2K nostalgia wave that has swept Hollywood in recent years. The decision to develop a sequel aligns with the success of recent franchise returns, particularly ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2,’ which grossed nearly $700 million worldwide following its release earlier this year.

Kate Hudson’s Producer Role and Hollywood’s Nostalgia Wave

For Hudson, the producer role marks a natural evolution of her involvement with the franchise that helped define her career. The Oscar-nominated actress was not a producer on the original ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,’ which was directed by Donald Petrie and distributed by Paramount Pictures. However, she has since developed production experience through her Netflix comedy series “Running Point,” where she serves as executive producer, and previously produced her 2009 rom-com “Bride Wars”.

Stacey Sher, who will produce alongside Hudson, brings an impressive portfolio to the project, with credits including “Pulp Fiction,” “Gattaca,” “Erin Brockovich,” “Vanilla Sky,” and “Django Unchained”. Together, they will guide the creative direction as the project seeks a writer to develop a script that justifies a return to Andie and Ben’s world.

The sequel’s development arrives amid Hollywood’s ongoing embrace of late 1990s and early 2000s franchises, with several long-awaited follow-ups already making waves. Beyond ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’s’ blockbuster success, the industry has seen sequels to “Freaky Friday” (2025’s “Freakier Friday”) and is anticipating upcoming follow-ups to “Practical Magic 2” with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, a sequel to 1997’s “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion,” and a fourth installment in the “Meet the Parents” franchise. Additionally, a sequel to the 1997 Julia Roberts rom-com “My Best Friend’s Wedding” has been reported in development from “Past Lives” director Celine Song.

Will Matthew McConaughey Return as Benjamin Barry?

Whether Matthew McConaughey will reprise his role as Benjamin Barry remains the most significant unanswered question surrounding the ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days 2’ sequel. While Paramount and the filmmakers have expressed the “intention” of reuniting both original stars, casting decisions ultimately depend on the script and creative direction, according to sources cited by Variety.

McConaughey’s affection for the original film is well-documented. The Oscar-winning actor recently revealed on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast that ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ remains “probably my favorite rom-com I’ve done” and that he still earns substantial residuals from its annual popularity surge around Valentine’s Day. This financial reality, combined with his documented fondness for the film, could influence his decision to return, though the actor has largely stepped away from romantic comedies over the past decade.

Hudson has previously spoken about the casting process for the original film, revealing that McConaughey was not the studio’s first choice and that she had to advocate for his involvement. “We had an energy together, I wanted to play with him,” she shared during a 2022 BAFTA talk in London. That chemistry, which remains central to the film’s enduring appeal, would presumably be a priority for any sequel production.

The Original Movie: A Defining Rom-Com of the 2000s

Released in 2003, ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ starred Kate Hudson as Andie Anderson, a magazine writer assigned to write a “how to” column about pushing a man away by intentionally doing everything women do wrong in relationships. Matthew McConaughey played Benjamin Barry, an advertising executive who bets his colleagues that he can make any woman fall in love with him in just 10 days. Their competing agendas create a romantic deception that eventually leads to genuine love, despite the original intent to manipulate one another.

Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film performed exceptionally well at the box office, grossing nearly $180 million worldwide against a reported $50 million production budget. Over the past two decades, it has become a defining romantic comedy of the 2000s and maintains a dedicated fan base that continues to watch the film regularly, particularly during the Valentine’s Day season. The film’s success helped establish both Hudson and McConaughey as rom-com icons, a legacy that the studio hopes to capitalize on with the sequel’s development.

The film’s legacy extends beyond box office performance. McConaughey’s recent comments about continuing residuals, combined with the film’s consistent television and streaming presence, demonstrate the franchise’s enduring commercial viability. At the same time, original romantic comedies have faced significant challenges in theaters, with films such as “One Night Only” and “You, Me & Tuscany” underperforming at the box office this year. This shift has made studios more inclined to revisit proven intellectual property like Love Is Blind Season 10 Reunion success stories when evaluating which romance projects to greenlight.

What to Expect from the Sequel: Development Status and Timeline

For fans eager for details, patience will be essential. The ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days 2’ sequel remains in the earliest stages of development, with no logline, plot details, or writer yet attached to the project. Paramount is currently in search of script writers, and casting decisions will follow the completion and approval of a screenplay.

Industry observers note that the development timeline mirrors other nostalgic franchise returns, where studios prioritize finding the right creative approach before committing to major casting decisions. With Stacey Sher and Kate Hudson now attached as producers, the project has established its leadership team, though the search for a writer will determine the eventual direction and whether the film proceeds with the original stars or explores new angles within the established universe.

What remains clear is Paramount’s confidence in the franchise’s appeal. As Hudson’s recent comments to USA TODAY indicate, the stars themselves recognize the potential: “I feel like that could happen if it was the right situation,” she said in April. Now, with her active involvement as producer, Hudson is positioned to help shape the project from its earliest stages, ensuring that any sequel honors the legacy of the original while delivering fresh creative elements.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’ Sequel