Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Bridget (Blake Lively), Carmen (America Ferrera) and Lena (Alexis Bledel) in 2005's 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants'.
Never say never when it comes to a sequel for the beloved film, which just marked its 20-year anniversary. Released on June 1, 2005, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants remains a cherished favorite for fans of all ages, thanks to its unforgettable characters: Carmen (America Ferrera), Lena (Alexis Bledel), Bridget (Blake Lively), and Tibby (Amber Tamblyn).
As the film reaches its two-decade milestone, director Ken Kwapis reflects with PEOPLE on the enduring legacy of the movie and the ongoing discussions about a potential third installment in the Sisterhood franchise.
“All I will say is we’ve tried to develop a third Sisterhood film, and we haven’t cracked it yet,” Kwapis said. While a sequel, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, was released in 2008 and drew from multiple books in Ann Brashares’ series, the possibility of a third film remains unresolved.
The original book series includes five novels, with the final entry, Sisterhood Everlasting, following the group into their late 20s. Kwapis admits this time gap presents a unique challenge. “The actors are now in their 30s, well into their 30s,” he said. “So our goal has been to create a story that catches up with these four characters beyond the scope of the book series. And so it’s just been trickier to kind of create that story.”
He also acknowledged the complexity of adapting Sisterhood Everlasting due to its more serious tone and emotional weight. “It is a very powerful book, but it certainly has a tragic element as well,” he noted.
Despite the difficulties, Kwapis remains optimistic, fueled by the genuine friendships shared by the film’s stars. “I’m definitely in touch with everyone. I mean, not on a regular basis,” he shared. “It’s been wonderful to become friends with all of them, and I hope to work with them again.”
America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively, and Alexis Bledel have previously spoken about their continued closeness, keeping fans hopeful that their bond may lead to another on-screen reunion.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is currently available to stream on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
