Tyler Perry Says It's 'Taking So Long' to Make Sister Act 3 with Whoopi Goldberg: 'I'm a Little Annoyed'

The movie — which Perry and Goldberg are set to co-produce — was first announced by Disney in late 2020

Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry. Photo:

Noam Galai/Getty

Tyler Perry says he is "a little annoyed" by how long it's taking to get Sister Act 3 to the big screen.

The actor and filmmaker, 54, told Entertainment Tonight that he and co-producer Whoopi Goldberg are keen to finally kick off the project, which was first announced by Disney in late 2020.

"I'm a little annoyed with how long this has taken me. It's taking so long — like, I've done four movies since we started talking about this," Perry said.

"When I'm outside producing with … you know, Disney's a huge, wonderful company, but I really want to get this movie and Whoopi really wants to get this movie," he continued.

sister-act-2.jpg
From left: Kathy Najimy, Whoopi Goldberg and Wendy Makkena in 1992's 'Sister Act'.

Goldberg, 68, and Perry first discussed the idea for the latest sequel to the 1992 film when they appeared together on Watch What Happens Live in November 2018. Perry teased a new Sister Act movie starring Tiffany Haddish and Goldberg in her original role as Deloris, a lounge singer who joins a convent after being placed in a witness protection program.

"The two of them in Sister Act, that should happen. Let's make it happen," Perry said at the time.

Two years later, in December 2020, the project became a reality when Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production President Sean Bailey announced during Disney Investor Day that Perry would be producing the third installment alongside Goldberg, who would lead the cast.

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Prior to the announcement, Goldberg had made no secret of her interest in making a third Sister Act film. During an October 2020 appearance on The Late Late Show with James Cordenshe shared that she had been trying to get the original cast back together.

"For a long time, they kept saying no one wanted to see it. And then quite recently, it turns out, that may not be true. People may want to see it," she said at the time. "So, we're working diligently to try to figure out how to get the gang together and come back."

Whoopi Goldberg in 'Sister Act'
Whoopi Goldberg in 'Sister Act'.

Whoopi Goldberg in 'Sister Act'

Since then, Goldberg has thrown out some suggestions for her dream ensemble cast for the movie. In October 2022, she revealed that Keke Palmer, Nikki Minaj and Lizzo were on her shortlist.

"I want everybody, I want as many people who wanna have some fun 'cause I really, desperately need to have some fun," she said during an appearance on Charlamagne tha God's Comedy Central show, Hell of a Week.

Last year, Goldberg made a public plea to Maggie Smith to reprise her role as Mother Superior in the third movie. "I want to let Maggie Smith know that I'm holding the part of Mother Superior for you, because I just can't do it with anybody but you," she said on the British talk show Loose Women.

"So, if you need me to come over here and shoot it and do whatever we have to do, we will do whatever you want us to do," she added. "But we don't want to do it without you, Maggie."

Goldberg did a little more recruiting for the project earlier this month, asking Sheryl Lee Ralph — who appeared in 1993's Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit — to come onboard for the new movie.

"We’re in the process of putting together [the third movie]. Will you come be part of it? Whatever it is," she urged the Abbott Elementary star, 67, when she stopped by The View on Feb. 7.

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