Filmmaker Andrew Ahn, known for Fire Island, is bringing a fresh perspective to The Wedding Banquet. In his reimagining of Ang Lee’s 1993 Golden Bear-winning film, Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang play key roles as their respective partners prepare to walk down the aisle.
Ahn’s 2025 adaptation, co-written with James Schamus—who also co-wrote the original film with Lee—updates the story for a new generation. This marks the 30th anniversary of the original film’s release.
The official synopsis for the upcoming feature reads:
“When Min (Han Gi-chan) proposes to his boyfriend Chris (Yang) and is unexpectedly rejected, he devises an unconventional plan.
Min convinces his best friend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) to marry him, offering to pay for her partner Liz’s (Gladstone) IVF treatments in exchange for a green card.
Their quiet city hall elopement plans spiral into chaos when Min’s grandmother unexpectedly arrives from Seoul, determined to throw an elaborate Korean wedding banquet—a celebration that inadvertently funds Liz’s IVF journey.”
The cast also includes Youn Yuh-jung, an Oscar winner for Minari, and Joan Chen, known for her roles in Twin Peaks and Dìdi.
The original Wedding Banquet followed a bisexual Taiwanese immigrant (Winston Chao) who marries a woman from mainland China to placate his traditional parents, only to have them visit from Taiwan and orchestrate a grand wedding that ultimately revealed his true sexuality.
The Wedding Banquet Film First Look (Photo: Luka Cyprian)
Lee’s 1993 film not only won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival but also resonated with audiences worldwide for its exploration of family, identity, and cultural expectations.
Ang Lee expressed his enthusiasm for the reimagining. “It warms my heart to see how my film from so many years ago has inspired a new generation to create a fresh and different version,” Lee shared in a statement.
“I look forward to seeing what Andrew Ahn and his talented cast bring to life.”
Ahn’s Vision for the Story
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Ahn emphasized the timeless nature of weddings as pivotal events in personal relationships.
“Weddings are intensely important markers in the growth of your relationships, even fake ones,” Ahn explained. “Through the process of planning it and going through it, you grow in your relationships.”
Ahn also shared how the film reflects his personal experiences. “Seeing my brother get married, I wondered if, as a gay man, I would ever have something like that.
Would the culture allow a queer version of this? Making this film was my way of having a Korean wedding—by creating a story about it.”
Bowen Yang on the Experience
Bowen Yang, who reunites with Ahn after their collaboration on Fire Island, spoke to IndieWire about the film’s significance and its star-studded cast. “It’s been an unforgettable, indelible experience,” Yang said.
“Lily Gladstone is amazing. Kelly Marie Tran is amazing. Joan Chen is in the movie. Youn Yuh-jung is in the movie—Oscar winner Y. J.! This is going to be a truly fantastic film.”
Release Details
The Wedding Banquet will be released in theaters in 2025 by Bleecker Street. Early glimpses of the project promise a vibrant, heartfelt reimagining of a beloved classic, blending cultural authenticity with modern sensibilities. Stay tuned for first-look photos and further updates.
