By Eric Kelsey LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Waiting 14 years to deliver the sequel to wedding film "The Best Man" gave director Malcolm D. Lee an advantage few sequels in franchise-happy Hollywood enjoy: time to let his characters mature and grow before thrusting them back onto the big screen. Now Lee is back with "The Best Man Holiday," a Christmas-themed comedy-drama in U.S. cinemas on Friday that brings back the nine stars of 1999's "The Best Man" for a reunion that tests marriages and friendships at their lowest moments. "I never really wanted to do a sequel," said Lee, who has also directed 2002 African-American comedy "Undercover Brother" and the 2013 horror satire "Scary Movie 5." "I set out to make a movie that would stand the test of time," the 43-year-old filmmaker added. "If I would ever consider doing a sequel, it would be like 10 years later when they (the characters) had a chance to live some life." And living life they have.