Michelle Monaghan has been a familiar face on the global stage over the past few years, traveling from one location to another for her acting roles. Her journey began with the third season of The White Lotus in Thailand, where she made the most of the experience by bringing her husband and two children along for an off-camera adventure. Not long after wrapping that project, she headed to London and Paris for the filming of The Family Plan 2, where her family once again joined her for a holiday season in the U.K.
The Family Plan, written by David Coggeshall and directed by Simon Cellan Jones, was a massive hit for Apple TV, quickly becoming its most-watched original film at the time. The success of the first film led to a fast-tracked sequel, which was released less than two years later. The story follows the Morgan family—Dan (Mark Wahlberg), Jessica (Monaghan), and their three children—as they navigate a series of adventures that bring them together. In the first film, Dan’s past as a covert assassin comes back to haunt him, leading to a road trip across the U.S. where the entire family becomes involved in the action. This dynamic continues in the sequel, as the Morgans reunite with their daughter Nina (Zoe Colletti) who is studying abroad during the holidays.
What sets both Family Plan films apart is the way they give every member of the family a chance to shine. Unlike many action films that focus solely on the lead, The Family Plan ensures that each character plays a vital role in the story. For example, there’s a foot chase in the sequel where Monaghan’s character outpaces Mark Wahlberg’s, showcasing her skills as a former decathlete. The family also embarks on a wild car chase in Paris, with Wahlberg’s character taking a backseat after being drugged.
For Monaghan, the appeal of the Family Plan films wasn’t just about the action—it was about creating a family-oriented movie that she could share with her own kids. “I’ve done a wide range of work in my career, but I can count on one hand the number of projects that my kids can actually watch,” she said. “So The Family Plan allowed me to sit them down and say, ‘Hey, Mom made this. We can all watch it together.’”
Monaghan recently reunited with Tom Cruise at a dinner celebrating his honorary Oscar at the Governors Awards. She also met up with J.J. Abrams and producer Paula Wagner, expressing her gratitude for Cruise’s impact on her career. “He’s such a champion and cheerleader for everyone,” she said. “It was really heartwarming to see that kind of recognition go to someone so deserving.”
When asked about the future of the Family Plan franchise, Monaghan expressed excitement about the possibility of a trilogy. “We’d all love to make a Family Plan 3,” she said. “It’s really nice to be out and about in the world and have families comment to me, ‘We’ve watched it three times together.’”
Monaghan also shared some fun memories from her time on Mission: Impossible III, including a humorous moment with Aaron Paul, who played her brother in that film before becoming her husband on The Path. “We had a big laugh over that,” she said. “I would love to work with that guy again. He’s beyond talented.”
Looking ahead, Monaghan is excited about her next project—a hockey drama for Netflix. “I’m just excited to be in the same time zone for my next gig,” she said. “As we know, the industry rarely shoots here in L.A., sadly.”
In addition to her current projects, Monaghan reflected on her time working with Sofia Coppola on Somewhere, where she starred alongside Stephen Dorff. “I have to go back and watch that movie,” she said. “I usually only watch a movie once, and then I never see it again.”
The Family Plan 2 is now streaming on Apple TV.
