Actor originally from North Bay excited to reprise role in ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ franchise
Canadian actor Gerry Mendicino, whose roots are planted in North Bay, is practicing his "Opa!" as he prepares to step back into the 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ franchise later this year.
Mendicino, who often comes back to the city for visits and productions, says he's excited to play the role of Uncle Taki once again, this time in the third film. He also played the same role in the first two films.
"We just got right back into the routine," he chuckled.
Production of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3' began in June, 2022 and wrapped up in mid-August last year.
In the trailer that was unveiled Thursday, Toula Portokalos (played by Canadian actor Nia Vardalos) intends to honour her father's final wish: for the entire Portokalos family to visit his childhood Greek village and reconnect with their roots. The film follows the wacky, loud and loving family as they jet off to Greece for a family reunion.
As part of the cast, Mendicino had the opportunity to travel to the country for production.
"We all greeted each other in Athens with big hugs and we're all back from where we were in 2016," he explained. “We had a wonderful time. We were at the airport and all the mobile homes were there and we were all there set up and I look around and I couldn't think of another place I'd rather be."
GerryMendicino.com
The first film in the franchise debuted in 2002 to overwhelming success generating close to $387 million at the box office. 14-years later, a sequel was made in 2016.
While Mendicino acknowledged his role in the third film is somewhat smaller than the first two movies, he explained it pays tribute film to several characters, including that of Kostas "Gus" Portokalos, who was portrayed by the late Michael Constantine, who died in 2021.
Mendicino, who shot several scenes with Constantine in the first two films, took time to pay his respects to the former actor.
"I really enjoyed working with Michael,” he explained. “We were best friends and our characters were best friends. So we did a lot of scenes together. We had a wonderful time together. I miss him.”
While reflecting on his time on set, Mendicino recalled one scene shot at the Athens International Airport with the entire cast.
“They wanted to get us all together for one last time,” he chuckled.
Mendicino started his career on the children's show ‘Polka Dot Door’, and the popular TV series ‘King of Kensington’. But he adds ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ is by far the biggest thing to happen to him.
“I’m very excited to see the next one myself,” he said.
The film's trailer can be viewed here.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 hits theaters on Sept. 8.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Full parole granted to man convicted in notorious 'McDonald's murders' in Cape Breton
The Parole Board of Canada has granted full parole to one of three men convicted in the brutal murders of three McDonald's restaurant workers in Cape Breton more than 30 years ago.
Incident on Calgary's Reconciliation Bridge comes to safe resolution
Calgary police shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers dealt with a distraught individual. The incident lasted almost 20 hours.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.