Fox 2000 has hired Michael Elliott (Just Wright) to write the script for Getting to Happy, the sequel to 1995′s Waiting to Exhale.  Forest Whitaker directed Waiting to Exhale, an adaptation of the novel by Terry McMillan that followed the relationship between four black women played by Angela Bassett, Whitney Houston,  Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon.  The sequel novel revisits the four core character fifteen years later when “each is at her own midlife crossroads.”  THR reports McMillan took the first pass at adapting Getting to Happy and Lori Laken Hutcherson worked on the script before Elliott took over.

It will be interesting to see how the studio proceeds after the death of Houston in February.  The rumor mill says Oprah Winfrey might assume the role, but there is nothing concrete yet.  In fact, there is no word on whether any cast is returning, including notable Exhale cast members Dennis Haysbert, Mykelti Williamson, Giancarlo Esposito, Donald Faison, and Wendell Pierce.  Hit the jump for the book synopsis for Getting to Happy and the Waiting to Exhale trailer.