The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel has been selected as the charity Royal Film Performance for 2015. The film, which is a sequel to the 2012 box office hit The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, will premiere on 17 February to an audience including members of the British royal family.
Starring many of the original cast including:Dame Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Dame Maggie Smith, Penelope Wilton and Dev Patel, the film will also feature Richard Gere, Tamsin Greig and David Strathairn.
Money raised from February's screening will go The Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF), a charity which provides care and financial support to employees of film and TV industry in times of need. "We are thrilled to be able to host esteemed British director John Madden's highly anticipated sequel," said Barry Jenkins, president of the CTBF. "At the end of our 90th anniversary year it is fitting that we can celebrate alongside such acclaimed British filmmaking talent."
The sequel sees Dev Patel's character Sonny continue to co-manage the hotel with Muriel, played by Dame Maggie Smith, while continuing to manage his plans for expansion and his impending marriage to Tena Desae's character Sunaina. Previous films showcased as part of the Royal Film Performance have included Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and Bond film Casino Royale.