Tyler Perry has officially kicked off production for his third installment of the “Why Did I Get Married?” movie franchise. However, one major name and face folks expected to see is missing: Janet Jackson’s.

Filming is underway in Italy, and the recently released cast list features returning favorites like Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Michael Jai White, Lamman Rucker, and Sharon Leal, but fans couldn’t help but notice Perfect Patty aka Janet was not in the photos that hit the internet. Jackson, a key player in the first two films, is notably absent from the credits and visuals making the rounds. There was one new face that folks are excited to see in the midst — one of Perry’s muses — Taraji P. Henson.

Social media erupted, with fans asking questions like, “Why isn’t Janet in ‘Why Did I Get Married Again?!’” and, “Is Taraji replacing Janet’s character?” During Perry’s initial tease of the project back in July, he posted the script’s cover and tagged original cast members, including Jackson — which fuelled speculation that she’d be returning. Now, viewers are left wondering whether her character’s journey has been cut completely or altered in a way that takes her out of the main cast. 

Plus, after the franchise’s second installment, Jackson’s character was left single and ready to mingle with…The Rock! Even though this was 15 years ago, fans have been heavily invested in Janet’s character’s fate. How did she navigate her grief after losing her husband? How will she rebuild herself? Will she date The Rock? So her blatant absence is striking.

As fans digest Jackson’s exclusion, the burning question is whether Perry will eventually address it — and how this sequel handles the pivotal role her character once held in the franchise’s heart.

According to Variety, the official storyline for “Why Did I Get Married Again?” is as follows: “The couples reunite in celebration as Marcus (White) and Angela’s (Smith) daughter prepares to tie the knot. After being apart for quite some time, they learn quickly that as much as things change, they stay the same. Realizing their children have grown up to be so much like them, they must reflect on the examples they’ve set and ask themselves that age-old question, why did they get married… again?”