Is The “Red, White And Royal Blue” Sequel Actually Cancelled?
For a moment there, it seemed like the fairytale might be over before the next chapter even began. A simple comment from Casey McQuiston, the author of the beloved novel Red, White And Royal Blue, recently caused a bit of a stir online, leaving many wondering about the future of Alex and Henry’s romance. So, has the sequel been quietly cancelled?
First, what exactly was said…
The confusion started on August 14. During a library event, McQuiston was asked about the film’s follow-up, which they co-wrote with director Matthew López. Their response that “pencils are kind of down for now” was quickly picked up and spread online, with many interpreting it as a sign that production had stalled indefinitely. It was an ambiguous statement that left fans with more questions than answers.
Don’t worry, it was just a figure of speech.
Thankfully, McQuiston took to Instagram a few days later on August 19 to clear things up. They explained that the phrase was not bad news, but simply a common expression for completing a stage of work. “I don’t know who needs to hear this, but ‘pencils down’ is a figure of speech that refers to when you’re taking the SAT or something and it’s time to put your pencil down bc the section of the test is done,” McQuiston wrote. “I’ve used this expression, like 100,000 times to describe the feeling of turning in a manuscript, it’s not that deep!” The statement confirms the script is written, putting the project in a much more promising position.
So what can we expect from their next chapter?
With the script seemingly complete, the story is set to move beyond the initial romance. The first film, which became a huge hit on Prime Video in 2023, gave us the sweet and satisfying story of a First Son falling for a British prince.
According to McQuiston, the sequel will look at Alex and Henry’s life after the credits rolled on the first movie. It seems the honeymoon phase might be over as the two are forced to deal with the realities of building a future together. In an interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, McQuiston said the film will explore their relationship when faced with “pressures and expectations and dreams that might be coming into conflict with each other.”
It sounds like the sequel will show how Alex and Henry handle the less glamorous side of a serious relationship. While we wait for more official news, it is good to know that the next part of their story is secured and ready to go.
