‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2’ Adds ‘American Odyssey’ Star Elena Kampouris (Exclusive)

Nia Vardalos returns to co-write and star in the sequel, which Kirk Jones will direct and Universal will release

After working with Jason Reitman on “Labor Day” and “Men, Women and Children,” 17-year-old actress Elena Kampouris has been cast in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” a sequel to the hit 2002 comedy that will be distributed by Universal Pictures, TheWrap has learned.

Gold Circle and HBO are presenting the Playtone production, which was written by its Oscar-nominated star Nia Vardalos. She’ll be joined by the rest of the memorable Portokalos family, who come together again for an even bigger, fatter wedding where a family secret will be revealed.

Kampouris should fit right in amongst the ensemble as she’s half-Greek, born to a Greek father and French-American mother.

Kirk Jones is directing “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2,” which will be produced by Rita Wilson and Playtone partners Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, and executive produced by Paul Brooks, Scott Niemeyer, Steven Shareshian and Vardalos.

In addition to the U.S., Universal will distribute in Australia/New Zealand, Germany/Austria/Switzerland, Greece, Italy, Latin America, Scandinavia, South Africa and Spain.

Kampouris recently played Ellen Barkin’s daughter in Tom McCarthy’s “The Cobbler” and can currently be seen on the NBC drama “American Odyssey.” She’s represented by Paradigm, Rebecca Kitt and Associates and attorney Neil Meyer.

Playtone’s current projects include HBO’s critically acclaimed “Olive Kitteridge” and the network’s upcoming miniseries “Lewis + Clark” starring Casey Affleck and Matthias Schoenaerts. It’s also behind a pair of Dave Eggers adaptations starring Tom Hanks — Tom Tykwer’s “A Hologram For The King” and James Ponsoldt’s “The Circle,” the latter of which co-stars Alicia Vikander. Playtone also recently acquired the film rights to the hit Broadway musical “Beautiful,” which is being developed as a feature at Sony.

Gold Circle’s “Pitch Perfect 2,” the sequel to Universal’s hit 2012 comedy, hits North American theaters this weekend after grossing $9.2 million in Australia and New Zealand to become the first film to dethrone “Avengers: Age of Ultron” in any international market. The film is pacing more than 300% ahead of the original film in both territories.

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