If you grew up in the mid-2000s, Lauren London wasn't just an actress. She was the blueprint. Specifically, her role as Erin “New New” Wright in the 2006 classic ATL turned her into a cultural icon overnight. Fast forward to 2026, and the internet is still obsessed with one question: When are we finally getting Lauren London New New back on our screens for the sequel?
Honestly, the wait has been agonizing. We've been hearing rumors about ATL 2: Homecoming for over a decade. Director Chris Robinson teased us with a trailer back in 2021, showing the whole gang—T.I., Jackie Long, Jason Weaver, and the twins—walking in slow motion to the sounds of Big Rube. It felt real. It felt like it was happening.
But then, life happened.
The Long Road to ATL 2: Homecoming
The reality is that Lauren London New New is a character deeply tied to a specific era of Atlanta culture, and bringing her back requires more than just a script. It requires the right timing. T.I. (who played Rashad) has said on the record that the sequel doesn't move until Lauren is ready. That's respect. Since the tragic passing of Nipsey Hussle in 2019, Lauren has been incredibly selective about her projects. She isn't just "taking jobs" anymore. She’s protecting her peace.
Jason Weaver recently dropped some gems in early 2025, confirming that the project is still very much alive and in active development. He mentioned that the character of New New was actually loosely based on T-Boz from TLC—specifically her "rich girl from the suburbs who loves the hood" energy. That's a layer most fans never knew.
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Why the Character Still Resonates
New New was the "it girl" who didn't want to be an "it girl." She had the mansion and the money, but she wanted the skating rink and the authentic connection.
- The Style: Those bamboo earrings and the baggy-yet-chic aesthetic? Still on mood boards in 2026.
- The Relatability: Every girl who felt misunderstood by her parents saw themselves in her.
- The Chemistry: Rashad and New New are basically the R&B song of movie couples.
Lauren London’s Evolution Beyond the Skates
We have to talk about how Lauren has changed. She’s not that 19-year-old girl from the Cascades anymore. In her recent 2024 and 2025 interviews, she’s been open about her "self-evolution." She talks a lot about "shadow work" and finding joy in the simple stuff—like a good cup of coffee or watching The Golden Girls with her kids.
She’s been working with PUMA on her "Forever Stronger" line, which is more of a mission statement than a clothing brand. When you see her now, there’s a depth there. A heaviness, sure, but also a massive amount of light. She told Essence that she wants her sons, Kameron and Kross, to see her "moving forward with grief, not curling up in a ball."
That’s why a "new" New New is so intriguing. How does that character age? Does she still go to the rink? Is she a mom now? The fans don't just want a nostalgia trip; they want to see if the character grew up alongside them.
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The Business of the Sequel
From a business standpoint, ATL 2 is a goldmine. The original movie was a sleeper hit, but its legacy on streaming and social media is massive. It’s one of those films that Google Discover loves because people are constantly searching for "where are they now" updates on the cast.
- Development Status: Active, but "patient."
- Cast Involvement: All major players have expressed 100% commitment.
- Production: Whispers of filming in late 2025 have circulated, though no official release date is set for 2026 yet.
The delay actually helps the movie. If they had rushed it out in 2015, it might have felt like a cheap cash grab. Now? It’s an event. It’s a cultural moment. We’ve seen other sequels like The Best Man Holiday succeed because they leaned into the passage of time.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Lauren London is "retired" or "too sad" to act. That’s a wild misconception. She was brilliant in You People and Without Remorse. She’s just being a "single, working mom" who values her time. She’s not chasing fame; she already caught it and realized it wasn’t the prize.
The "New New" we see in the sequel won't be a carbon copy of the teenager from 2006. Expect a version of the character that reflects Lauren’s real-life maturity. More wisdom, same attitude.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're tracking the progress of the sequel or just want to support Lauren's current era, here is how to stay in the loop without falling for clickbait:
- Watch the Source: Follow Chris Robinson (the director) on Instagram. He is the one who drops the real teasers, not the gossip blogs.
- Support the Current Work: Check out her PUMA "Forever Stronger" drops. It’s where she puts her heart these days.
- Revisit the Original: If you haven't watched ATL recently, go back and look at the nuances of her performance. She was carrying that movie at such a young age.
- Ignore "Official" Dates: Until you see a trailer with a month and a year from a major studio like Warner Bros, any "release date" you see on TikTok is probably fake.
The legacy of Lauren London New New isn't just about a movie. It’s about a feeling. It’s about that specific Atlanta summer that felt like it would last forever. While we wait for the official 2026 production updates, we can appreciate that Lauren is taking her time. Icons don't rush.
To keep up with her latest moves, keep an eye on her intentional collaborations. She's moving with purpose, and whenever she decides to lace up those skates again—or whatever the 2026 version of New New does—it’s going to be legendary.
Next Steps: You can verify the latest production filings for ATL 2: Homecoming through the Georgia Film Office's active projects list, which is updated monthly with "in-production" titles.