Hollywood legend shares huge film update following Dame Maggie Smith’s passing

By Bethany Whittingham, Senior Showbiz Reporter

Whoopi Goldberg has updated fans on a huge upcoming film (Image: NBC)

Hollywood icon Whoopi Goldberg has shared a huge update ahead of the third Sister Act film.

The highly anticipated film has been in the works for some time, but the 68-year-old actress confirmed that the project has been put on hold following the death of her co-star Dame Maggie Smith.  

She revealed that the project had been delayed because scripts had to be rewritten. During an appearance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, the actress shared a update on the hit musical.

The mum-of-one told viewers: “We’re having to make some adjustments because we just lost Maggie Smith, as you know. And so, we will get it done. We will get it done. It just is a shift.”

Dame Maggie Smith played the role of Mother Superior in the original 1992 film as well as the sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993.

The star has made changes to Sister Act 3 after Dame Maggie Smith's death (Image: PA)

The Oscar-winning actress sadly passed away back in September at the age of 89 after a decorated 70-year acting career.

Earlier this year, Whoop – who still refuses to say President Donald Trump's name – teased that the film would be around “soon” but refused to give any specific date.

She told Entertainment Tonight: “I can say it’s coming. It’s coming around the mountain when it comes. It’ll be here soon. I’m excited. It’s time for it, you know, it’s time.”

The View panellist explained that she believes now is the right time for the movie to start filming after years of delays.

The Ghost star added: “Because we need to laugh, you know? I don’t know what we’re going into, but whatever it is, I'm gonna need to chuckle a lot... I think I’m good when I make other people laugh, too.”

The pair starred in the hit musical in the early 90s (Image: Alamy)

The presenter – who is producing the film alongside Tyler Perry – previously revealed that she had offered Pope Francis to make a cameo appearance in the film because he seemed to be “a bit of a fan.”

She went on: “I offered one. He said he’d see what his time was like.” In October 2022, the Colour Purple star admitted she would love Nicki Minaj, Lizzo and Keke Palmer to be cast in Sister Act 3.

Speaking to host Charlamagne Tha God on Comedy Central’s Hell of A Week, she said: “I want everybody. I want as many people who want to have some fun, because I really, desperately need to have some fun.”

The first film saw Whoopi star as Deloris Van Cartier, a singer who goes undercover at a convent after being put in a witness protection programme.

It went on to become one of the highest grossing films of the early 1990s, earning a staggering $232million (£177million) after its release.