Tyler Perry and Tika Sumpter reunite for rom-com Sisters in Italy at Amazon MGM

Back in 2022, Tyler Perry signed a four-movie deal with Amazon Studios, where he would write, produce, and direct four new films for exclusive release on Amazon Prime Video. One of the films under the deal has already come out, which is the drama thriller Divorce in the Black. Two other films that are part of the deal are currently in the works such as the dramas Black, White & Blue and Joy Ridge.

Now, we've just learned of the fourth and final movie in the deal. It's an upcoming romantic comedy called Sisters in Italy, and it's currently in production. Perry produces via his Tyler Perry Studios and also directs. Tika Sumpter (Sonic the Hedgehog 3) co-wrote the script with Kemiyondo Coutinho (P-Valley, Step Up: High Water). In addition, Sumpter stars in the film and is also a producer. Angi Bones, Tony Strickland, and Will Areu join Perry and Sumpter as producers, while Coutinho is an executive producer.

This isn't the first time Perry and Sumpter worked together. Sumpter previously starred in Perry's Christmas comedy film A Madea Christmas and in his soap opera The Haves and the Have Nots. She most recently starred in the Paramount+ miniseries Knuckles as Maddie Wachowski. Besides Sisters in Italy, we'll see her next in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, where she'll reprise her role as Maddie Wachowski.

After Deadline announced that Sisters in Italy was in the works, Sumpter took to Instagram to express her excitement.

"I am so honored that my friend @tylerperry said yes to directing his first project that he didn’t write. He said he believes in me and the project. I cry every-time. I could not have done this without my badass co-writer friend and chosen sister @kemi_yondo ! I love you to the moon and back. She’s incredible. Prior to this we had gone through so much with this project and Tyler and Amazon got it done! Thank you @razz2theb and DJ! Getting anything made in Hollywood especially now is a miracle.

I feel so freaking proud to have co-wrote, produced and starring in a story that is dear to my heart. It dives into sisterhood and what that actually means to two totally different people and the complexities family brings mixed in with some yummy Italian wanderlust. I just want to tell good stories. Tyler thank you for making it happen and all in a matter of months. He has taught me so much but especially that development hell is so unnecessary. I LOVE YOU TP! Thank you is not enough. #sisters #sisterhood #tps #amazon #producer @deadline"

- Tika Sumpter

Deadline provided us with the movie's plot.

"The story follows two estranged sisters who, after their mother’s death, are called to Italy to discover that their mom owned a bed and breakfast in the Italian countryside. While the sisters contemplate what to do with the establishment, the two are tasked with a series of assignments delivered posthumously by their mother to preserve their sisterhood and learn how to live life at its fullest. Sumpter’s examination of the complexities that come with siblinghood is inspired by her personal experiences as the youngest child in her family."

Joining Sumpter in the cast are Bresha Webb (Run the World, A Fall from Grace), Whoopi Goldberg (The Color Purple, Sister Act), Ernie Hudson (Ghostbusters franchise, The Family Business), Godfrey (The Perfect Find), Giulio Berruti (Downhill), Edmond Layrea (FBI, The Blacklist), Sarayu Blue (Expats, Never Have I Ever), and Justin Chatwin (Reagan, Shameless).

Other work of Perry's to check out is his new war drama film, The Six Triple Eight, which is set to be released in theaters on Dec. 6, 2024, before landing on Netflix on Dec. 20. His other Netflix projects include the upcoming drama series Beauty in Black and the comedy film Madea's Destination Wedding.