NEED TO KNOW
A holiday vacation turns sour for Mark Wahlberg and Michelle Monaghan in The Family Plan 2.
PEOPLE has an exclusive first look at the film, in which Wahlberg and Monaghan return as husband-and-wife duo Dan and Jessica from the original action-comedy, which became a streaming hit in 2023
Set during the holiday season, the sequel follows Dan as he has “planned the perfect vacation for his wife Jessica and their kids to celebrate overseas — until a mysterious figure from his past (played by Kit Harington) shows up with unfinished business,” according to a synopsis.
“An international game of cat-and-mouse ensues as Dan and his family battle, bicker and bond their way through a series of bank heists, holiday hijinks and car chases amid scenic European terrain,” the synopsis teases.
Courtesy of Apple
Monaghan, 49, tells PEOPLE that The Family Plan 2 is “as action-packed, fun and heartwarming as the original, but now it is set in the beautiful backdrop of London and Paris during the holidays.”
“It’s quite magical,” she continues. “It’s a film you can enjoy with the whole family. It’s adventurous, laugh-out-loud funny and very touching.”
Courtesy of Apple
The White Lotus alum adds that it was “beyond special” filming throughout Europe.
“Getting to film at so many extraordinary landmarks was the cherry on top. Seeing the Eiffel Tower twinkle at night from a barge on the Seine River was unbelievable,” Monaghan recalls. “We were all grinning from ear to ear.”
Courtesy of Apple
Apple TV+ reported back in December 2023 that the first Family Plan became the platform’s most-viewed movie ever at the time. Returning director Simon Cellan Jones says it was “great to get the family back together” for a follow-up.
“We loved the tone and feel of the first movie and definitely didn’t want to fix what wasn’t broke,” says Jones. “It’s still a super-normal, grounded family getting into dangerous scrapes with ruthless killers. But this time they go to Europe, and it’s great to see them out of their comfort zone.”
The filmmaker says Monaghan “really outdoes herself this time” — and Wahlberg, 54, “just gets better.”
Adds Jones of the Oscar nominee, “We have a really easy shorthand. He is so fun to work with. Really prepared, very instinctive and natural. And, of course, he’s Mark Wahlberg, so he’s always going to be watchable.”
Courtesy of Apple
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The cast also includes Zoe Colletti, Van Crosby, Peter Lindsey, Theodore Lindsey and Reda Elazouar.
“It’s such a great experience working with Mark,” says Monaghan. “We have a really natural, easy rapport, and we love getting to be the Morgans. We love our movie family!”
The Family Plan 2 is on Apple TV+ Nov. 21.
