{"id":1452331,"date":"2025-10-01T12:33:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T11:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/?p=1452331"},"modified":"2025-10-01T12:33:06","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T11:33:06","slug":"terence-stamp-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-sequel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gaytimes.com\/films\/terence-stamp-priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-sequel\/","title":{"rendered":"Terence Stamp filmed Priscilla, Queen of the Desert sequel scenes before his death"},"content":{"rendered":"

Months before his death, Terence Stamp filmed scenes for a sequel to the iconic LGBTQIA+ film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert<\/em>.<\/a><\/p>\n

Stephan Elliot, the writer and director of the 1994 classic, recently told Deadline<\/em><\/a> that he persuaded Stamp to reprise his acclaimed role as transgender nightclub artist Bernadette. While the late actor was hesitant, Elliot promised it would not be a rehash of the original.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo I came forward with something that is pretty special and unique,\u201d Elliot revealed. \u201cAnd that\u2019s when I got him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The original film also starred Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce as drag queens Mitzi Bel Bra and Felicia Jollygoodfellow, who travel with Bernadette across the Australian outback in a tour bus named Priscilla.<\/p>\n

The road comedy, which earned Stamp BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations, was praised for its groundbreaking depiction of trans women and drag queens, and has been credited with introducing queer themes to a mainstream audience.<\/p>\n

Elliot, who also credits Priscilla<\/em> with paving the way for queer media such as RuPaul\u2019s Drag Race<\/em>, explained that a sequel had been in the works \u201cjust before COVID, because it took me decades to find a plot and I found it\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut then COVID came along, and of course, we all lost ground, but it did give us the time to get the script underway. And as well you know, we have very big heels to fill, and we\u2019ve been pretty much at it ever since,\u201d he continued. \u201cTerence wasn\u2019t getting any younger, and that\u2019s a fact he loved to shove down our throats almost every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Deadline<\/em> first reported news of the sequel in April 2024.<\/a><\/p>\n

Elliot said discussions at the time involved \u201ca lot of trial and error\u201d over how Stamp\u2019s character would look at 88 years old.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the clock clicked on, and then when the AI wars broke out, Terence was indignant that he didn\u2019t want a digital clone of himself playing Bernadette,\u201d he recalled. \u201cHe wanted the chance to put the character down himself. And I will quote him in this case. He said: \u2018Just in case I don\u2019t make the start line.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

With the blessing of Stamp, his family, Weaving, Pearce and the financiers, Elliot decided to \u201cpre-shoot all the Bernadette scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sadly, Stamp passed away on 17 August, 2025, at the age of 87.<\/a><\/p>\n

Elliot said of Stamp: \u201cHe was 87, turning 88\u2026 And I put him through a multi-cam shoot, spread over several grueling sessions. All I can say is, that the old trouper gave it everything he had. He hated putting the wig on again.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut at the same time, my God, you could have bottled that smile. I mean, it was brilliant fun, and he really did have the time of his life. But calling \u2018that\u2019s a wrap\u2019 on Terence Stamp\u2026 are going to be words that will haunt me to the day I die.\u201d<\/p>\n

His death was met with an outpouring of tributes from the entertainment industry and former co-stars, including Pearce, who posted a heartfelt farewell to his \u201cdear Tel\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were a true inspiration, both in and out of heels,\u201d Pearce wrote on X\/Twitter. \u201cWe\u2019ll always have Kings Canyon, Kings Road and F\u2019ing ABBA. Wishing you well on your way \u2018Ralph\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Amie Stoppard, Stamp\u2019s niece, shared photos of her late uncle in the makeup chair as he stepped back into Bernadette\u2019s full glam.<\/p>\n

She said he “poured his heart into this project before he passed,” working with “passion and determination to bring Bernadette’s spirit back to life, and this film became his swan song”.<\/p>\n

“Though he is no longer here to see it completed, the sequel carries his talent and love within it,” Stoppard continued.<\/p>\n

“It stands not only as a testament to his extraordinary career, but also as part of his enduring legacy in how Priscilla<\/em> broke new ground and boundaries for the LGBTQ+ community \u2014 a story that was brought visibility, courage, and humanity to the big screen in ways that were ahead of their time.”<\/p>\n

While Elliot remained tight-lipped on specifics, he described Priscilla 2<\/em> as a \u201cvery unusual\u201d and \u201ctouching\u201d film that explores \u201cwhat it\u2019s like to get old and to be either gay [and\/or] trans\u201d \u2014 a subject, he noted, that has \u201cnever been explored.\u201d<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Amie Stoppard (@amieshoppit)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n