Polish film sequel casting controversy

A controversy has emerged in the Polish film industry regarding the production of ‘Właśnie, że tak!’ (also referred to as ‘Nigdy w życiu. 20 lat później’), a sequel to the romantic comedy ‘Nigdy w życiu!’. The dispute centers on actress Joanna Jabłczyńska, who played the character Tosi in the original film. Jabłczyńska expressed deep disappointment, claiming she felt misled by the production after receiving a script and engaging in advanced discussions, only to later find the process was treated as a casting session.

Producer Anna Wichłacz provided a conflicting account, stating that a formal casting process involving six actresses, including Jabłczyńska, occurred in June. The production confirmed that Agnieszka Żulewska was ultimately selected for the role. The situation escalated into a public dispute involving author Katarzyna Grochola and her daughter, Dorota Szelągowska. Szelągowska issued a statement criticizing Jabłczyńska for spreading misinformation, which resulted in online harassment; Szelągowska has since expressed regret for her emotional reaction.

As the conflict intensified, Grochola threatened legal action. However, the dispute resulted in a charitable outcome: following a request from Grochola, Jabłczyńska contributed to a collective aid fund, which raised over 558,000 PLN.

Industry professionals, including screenwriter Ilona Łepkowska and actress Dorota Stalińska, have commented on the dispute and the production’s crisis management. Additionally, actress Joanna Brodzik confirmed she will not participate in the sequel, citing a preference for new projects.