EXCLUSIVE: Emmy-nominated actress Leslie Bibb has signed on to star in Upgraded 2, the follow-up to the 2023 romantic comedy, reuniting with Camila Mendes, who returns as both star and producer. The film is directed by Becca Gleason, with Luke Roberts and Justin Mathews returning to pen the screenplay.
While specific plot details remain confidential, the sequel continues the story introduced in the original film, where Mendes plays Ana—a driven art auction intern in New York who deceives a wealthy suitor by posing as someone else. That lie spirals into complications that jeopardize both her personal life and professional aspirations.
The sequel is fully financed by Gulfstream Pictures and is set to begin principal photography this month in Italy. Amazon MGM Studios will handle global distribution, with plans to release the film across Prime Video in over 240 countries and territories.
Returning and new producers include Mike Karz and Bill Bindley from Gulfstream; Camila Mendes and Rachel Matthews under their Honor Role banner; Lena Roklin of Luber Roklin Entertainment; and Piers Tempest of Tempo Productions.
Bibb brings a wealth of recent credits to the project. She recently appeared in season five of HBO’s critically acclaimed Hacks, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Her role in the second season of Apple TV+’s Palm Royale also contributed to its Emmy recognition. Most recently, she starred in the third season of Mike White’s hit series The White Lotus, whose ensemble cast was nominated for a 2026 SAG Award. Upcoming projects include her starring and executive producing role in HBO’s dark comedy series The Rush Whisperer, and a lead part in the rom-com series Escorted for Prime Video, opposite Brett Goldstein and Lesley Manville.
Additional notable roles span Netflix’s God’s Favorite Idiot, Jupiter’s Legacy, ABC’s GCB, and American Housewife, as well as TV Land’s Nobodies. On the big screen, Bibb has appeared in Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2, About My Father, The Lost Husband, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Iron Man and Iron Man 2, Tag, To the Bone, and many others. She is represented by UTA, LBI, and JSSK.