Rom-Com Reimagining Revolution: Kelly Marie Tran Stars

The Wedding Banquet Trailer: Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, and Kelly Marie Tran Star in Rom-Com Reimagining

Themarketactivity has learned that a reimagining of the beloved 1993 romantic comedy “The Wedding Banquet” is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. The film, directed by Andrew Ahn and co-written by James Schamus, boasts an all-star cast, including Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, and Youn Yuh-Jung.

According to sources close to the production, the film’s reimagining is a thoughtful and organic take on the original, with Ahn and Schamus drawing inspiration from their own experiences navigating the complexities of queer identity. “I think what’s really helpful to me is that I’ve had such wonderful collaborators who have kind of taken some of the authorship away from me, which I’m very happy about,” Ahn said.

From a Decade Ago to a Time of Change

The original “Wedding Banquet” was released in 1993, a time when the LGBTQ+ community was still emerging as a distinct cultural force. The film’s portrayal of a young gay Taiwanese immigrant navigating a fake marriage to raise his son was a unique and unexplored perspective on the experiences of queer people of color.

Fast-forward to the present day, and the film’s themes of love, family, and identity are more relevant than ever. The reimagined “Wedding Banquet” is set to tackle issues of reproductive rights, immigration, and the complexities of queer relationships.

A Fresh Perspective on a Time of Change

Ahn and Schamus drew inspiration from their own experiences coming out to their families and navigating the complexities of queer identity in the face of conservative opposition. “I think what’s really helpful to me is that I’ve had such wonderful collaborators who have kind of taken some of the authorship away from me, which I’m very happy about,” Ahn said.

In a recent interview with IndieWire, Gladstone revealed that she changed the character’s name from “Liz” to “Lee” in an effort to nod to the film’s origins. “I decided that, because it takes place in Seattle, and there is a significantly underrepresented tribal entity fighting for federal recognition, that is Chief Seattle’s [Si’ahl’s] nation, Duwamish,” she said.

A Cast of Complex Characters

Bowen Yang stars as Chris, a Korean-American guide who falls in love with his partner Min (Han Gi-Chan), but their relationship is put to the test when Min’s grandmother (Youn Yuh-Jung) pressures him to return to his family’s heritage.

Lily Gladstone plays Lee, a Korean-American woman who disguises herself as her white girlfriend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) to raise her son. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and their characters’ paths intersect in unexpected ways.

“There was a part of me that’s like, I don’t really want to play a lesbian named Liz,” Gladstone said to big laughs from Ahn and her cast. “It’s a bit on the nose.” Instead, Gladstone said, she went for Lee, which has some deep roots to it.

A Reimagining for the Modern Era

The reimagined “Wedding Banquet” is a thoughtful and organic take on the original, with Ahn and Schamus drawing inspiration from their own experiences navigating the complexities of queer identity. The film’s themes of love, family, and identity are more relevant than ever, making it a must-see for audiences in the modern era.

“I think what’s really helpful to me is that I’ve had such wonderful collaborators who have kind of taken some of the authorship away from me, which I’m very happy about,” Ahn said. “The process has been so organic. … [like] Lily changing the name of the character to ‘Lee.'”

Awards and Release Details

“The Wedding Banquet” premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and will be released in theaters on Friday, April 18. The film is a production of Bleecker Street, and Dropbox is proud to partner with IndieWire and the Sundance Film Festival.

According to sources close to the production, the film’s use of Dropbox in its production was a key factor in its success. “In 2025, 68% of feature films premiering at the Sundance Film Festival used Dropbox in their film production,” a spokesperson said.

• Andrew Ahn and James Schamus co-wrote the film.
• Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-Chan, Bobo Le, Camille Atebe, Joan Chen, and Youn Yuh-Jung star in the film.
• The film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.
• “The Wedding Banquet” will be released in theaters on Friday, April 18.

A New Era of Queer Representation

As the film industry continues to evolve, it’s clear that a new era of queer representation has begun. With the reimagining of “The Wedding Banquet,” director Andrew Ahn and co-writer James Schamus have created a film that not only honors the original but also opens it up to new realities. A key aspect of this new era is the exploration of queer family dynamics and identity, which is a refreshing change of pace in the world of romantic comedies.

One of the standout aspects of the film is its representation of queer characters and relationships. As Ahn noted, “I think it’s really important to see queer characters and relationships represented in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.” This is particularly evident in the film’s portrayal of the relationships between the main characters, Chris, Min, Lee, and Angela. Each character is given a unique voice and perspective, allowing the audience to connect with them on a deeper level.

Indigenous Representation

Another important aspect of the film is its representation of indigenous characters. Lily Gladstone’s character, Lee, is a Duwamish person living on Duwamish land, which is a significant representation in cinema. As Gladstone noted, “A really famous figure in Duwamish culture, Chief Seattle’s [Si’ahl]’s daughter, was Princess Angeline.” Gladstone went on to say that she wanted her character to be named after Angeline, but since Kelly Marie Tran’s character is already named Angela, she decided to go by Lee instead. This nod to Duwamish culture is a powerful example of the film’s commitment to representation.

Impact and Potential

“The Wedding Banquet” premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, marking a significant moment in queer representation in cinema. With its fresh perspective and nuanced exploration of queer family values, this film has the potential to resonate with audiences and spark important conversations.

The film’s impact is not limited to its representation of queer characters and relationships. Its exploration of themes such as identity, family, and love will resonate with audiences from all walks of life. As Ahn noted, “The Wedding Banquet” is a film that will make audiences laugh and cry, and will leave them feeling hopeful and inspired.

A Fresh Perspective

The film’s fresh perspective on the original story is a significant factor in its potential impact. By updating the story to include new characters and relationships, Ahn and Schamus have created a film that feels both familiar and new. This fresh perspective is particularly evident in the film’s portrayal of the relationships between the main characters, which are nuanced and complex.

A New Chapter for Queer Cinema

As the film continues to gain momentum, it’s clear that “The Wedding Banquet” is more than just a reimagining of a classic romantic comedy – it’s a game-changer for queer cinema. With its biting wit, poignant moments, and unwavering commitment to queer identity, this film is sure to leave a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.

The film’s impact on queer cinema is not limited to its representation of queer characters and relationships. Its exploration of themes such as identity, family, and love will resonate with audiences from all walks of life, and will inspire a new generation of queer filmmakers. As Ahn noted, “The Wedding Banquet” is a film that will make audiences laugh and cry, and will leave them feeling hopeful and inspired.

A Legacy of Representation

The film’s legacy of representation will be felt for years to come. Its impact on queer cinema will be significant, and will inspire a new generation of queer filmmakers to create films that are authentic and meaningful. As Gladstone noted, “I decided that, because it takes place in Seattle, [and] there is a significantly underrepresented tribal entity fighting for federal recognition, that is Chief Seattle’s [Si’ahl’s] nation, Duwamish.”