(Image: Universal Pictures)
Last December, Universal Pictures surprised fans by announcing that a fourth installment in the hit comedy franchise "Meet the Parents" was officially in the works. John Hamburg, co-writer of the original trilogy, was confirmed to be returning to pen the script. Now, nearly six months later, the sequel's first new cast member has been revealed: actress and pop superstar Ariana Grande, who has been collaborating closely with Universal on the "Wicked" films.
Comedy has long been a strong suit for Grande, who launched her career starring in the sitcom "Victorious." During the press tour for "Wicked," Grande mentioned that the experience inspired her to explore more comedic acting opportunities, making her addition to the "Meet the Parents" series a perfect fit for her plans.
(Image: Universal Pictures)
Universal also announced today that the fourth film is scheduled for a November 25, 2026 release. Hamburg, who was initially only set to return as writer, is now also confirmed to direct the project.
Currently, the confirmed returning cast includes Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner as the in-laws, alongside Teri Polo and Ben Stiller as the central on-screen couple. There is no word yet on whether other original cast members, such as Owen Wilson, Dustin Hoffman, and Barbra Streisand, will be reprising their roles, with their status pending official confirmation.