Bill and Ted 3 has finished shooting! The third film in the cult hit stoner comedy franchise has been 28 years in the making, and for much of that time only the most diehard fans kept hope alive that there would be another entry in the series.

Beginning in 1989 with Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, the franchise offered the comedic premise of two wannabe musicians - Ted Theodore Logan (Keanu Reeves) and Bill S. Preston Esquire (Alex Winter) - as they travelled through time in an attempt to gain enough knowledge to pass their high school history reports. Few could have realized at the time that what was being created would not only remain a pop culture staple in the years to come, but also that it would play a major role in kick-starting what continues to be a resoundingly successful career for Reeves. The success of Bill and Ted was quickly followed up in 1991 with Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey, and since that time, the two high school rockers known as Bill and Ted have been relegated to a proud but distant spot in Hollywood lore. That is, until recently, when a third installment in the franchise finally got off the ground after much struggle.

Now, thanks to key Twitter updates from Bill and Ted 3 screenwriter Ed Solomon, Alex Winter, and the official Bill and Ted 3 account, fans will be pleased to know that Bill and Ted Face the Music has finished shooting. The new film began production at the start of July, and throughout the two-month process, there have been numerous casting updates, set photos and Reeves has managed to remain the ever-considerate and charming star that he’s typically known to be. As things currently stand, Winter, the official production and Solomon appear to be quite pleased and thankful for the entire process of bringing Bill and Ted back to life again, as can be seen in the Tweets below:

It’s always a relief to know that a production went smoothly and that those involved with it are pleased with what’s been achieved. When so many films end up with nonstop complications and difficulties throughout production, it’s excellent to know that all of Bill and Ted 3’s problems seem to have been surpassed prior to filming. In addition to the return of Reeves and Winter, the new sequel will star a variety of comedic talent, including Kristen Schaal, Jillian Bell, Beck Bennett, and Holland Taylor. The story finds Bill and Ted as middle-aged dads, frustrated and depressed that they still haven’t achieved the superstar rock status that was previously promised to them. As they soon discover, however, the future of the universe depends on the ability of The Wyld Stallyns to come up with a new song, and this kicks off a fresh journey through time - only this time, Bill and Ted are accompanied by their daughters, Thea (Samara Weaving) and Billie (Brigette Lundy-Paine).

With all the anticipation that’s been geared toward this sequel as well as the so-called Keanussance that appears to have given Reeves’ career a new boost as of late, there’s ample reason to believe that Bill and Ted 3 will be a hit when it arrives in theaters next summer. Unfortunately, despite the love and support for the film, there’s no guarantee that it’ll actually live up to the hype that’s been heaped upon it. Hindsight is, of course, 50/50 and exactly how much of the love for the Bill and Ted franchise is based entirely in nostalgia could be a limiting factor for the new film. That said, the franchise’s fanbase is so strong that even if all the love is just caused by nostalgia, Bill and Ted Face the Music will likely be embraced regardless of what the critics say.

Next: Bill & Ted’s Wyld Stallyns: The Greatest Band Of All Time Explained

Sources: Various (see above)

  • Bill and Ted 3 Release Date: 2020-08-28