More than three decades after Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Whoopi Goldberg is still waiting to return to the convent.
Goldberg recently shared another update about Sister Act 3, and her patience appears to be wearing thin.
The Oscar-winning actress has remained committed to reprising her role as Deloris Van Cartier. However, the long-awaited sequel still does not have a release date.
Goldberg addressed the situation as The View returned for its 30th season. She made it clear that she wants the project completed sooner rather than later.
“I’d like to get it done before I’m too much older,” Goldberg said.
Her latest comment reflects years of uncertainty surrounding the film. Disney announced Sister Act 3 in 2020 as a Disney+ project.
Since then, the movie has experienced several delays and creative changes.
The long road back to the convent
The original Sister Act premiered in 1992 and became a major box-office success. Goldberg played Deloris, a singer placed in witness protection after witnessing a murder.
She later disguises herself as a nun named Sister Mary Clarence. Her musical talents eventually transform the convent’s struggling choir.
The film’s success led to Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993. Goldberg returned alongside several members of the original cast.
Fans have waited more than 30 years for another installment.
The third movie has moved forward at several points. However, production has yet to begin.
Tyler Perry, who is attached as a producer, previously acknowledged his frustration with the lengthy process.
“I’m a little annoyed with how long this has taken me. It’s taking so long, like I’ve done four movies since we started talking about this,” Perry told Entertainment Tonight in 2024.
Perry also emphasized his desire to finally make the project happen.
“When I’m outside producing with — you know, Disney’s a huge, wonderful company, but I really want to get this movie and Whoopi really wants to get this movie,” he said.
The delay has not been caused by a lack of enthusiasm from Goldberg or Perry.
Instead, the creative team has spent years developing the right story for the sequel. Perry previously said the project needed the right writers, script and story.
The filmmakers also faced an emotional setback following Maggie Smith’s death in September 2024.
Smith played Mother Superior in both original films. Goldberg had hoped Smith would return for the third installment.
After Smith’s death, the script required changes to accommodate her absence.
“We’re having to make some readjustments, because we just lost Maggie Smith, as you know,” Goldberg said in November 2024. “We will get it done. We’ll get it done. It’s a shift.”
Goldberg says the script is ready
Despite the setbacks, Goldberg delivered encouraging news in March 2025.
She confirmed that the Sister Act 3 script had been completed. The remaining question was whether Disney would move forward with production.
“We’re hoping it’ll happen sometime this year,” Goldberg told Variety at the 2025 Oscars. “It doesn’t matter what I think. It only matters if Disney wants to do it.”
That hoped-for 2025 production window ultimately passed without filming beginning.
As of September 2026, Sister Act 3 still has no officially announced release date. Current listings continue to classify the project as a Disney+ title with its release date listed as to be announced.
Goldberg has remained publicly optimistic despite the prolonged wait.
In 2024, she told Entertainment Tonight that the movie was still moving forward.
“I can say it’s coming,” Goldberg said. “It’s coming around the mountain when it comes. It’ll be here soon. I’m excited. It’s time for it, you know, it’s time.”
More recently, however, her comments suggest that excitement has been accompanied by some urgency.
Goldberg turns 71 in November, making her latest remarks particularly meaningful. She has spent years trying to bring Deloris back to audiences.
For now, fans are still waiting for the studio to turn development into production.
Until that happens, Goldberg’s message remains simple: She wants to get back in the habit.