Once you hear the phrases “iconic film,” the same old suspects have a tendency come to thoughts: “Citizen Kane,” “Raging Bull,” “The Godfather: Half II.” And now, “Freakier Friday.”
This isn’t an exaggeration: Kate Erbland’s IndieWire evaluation even gave a nod to the enduring fandom of the beloved authentic 2003 movie “Freaky Friday,” with Erbland writing, “Should you’re of the thoughts that Jamie Lee Curtis ought to have received her first Oscar for her work in Mark Waters’ movie. … ‘Freakier Friday’ may be very a lot for you. Merely put: Here’s a legacyquel well worth the wait. What an idea!”
And what an idea certainly. How does anybody revisit an iconic basic movie — and even arguably make it even higher? In-demand screenwriter Jordan Weiss knew precisely how, and even helped land a theatrical launch for the sequel that was lengthy rumored to be for streaming solely. (A consultant for Disney didn’t affirm or deny authentic launch plans for the movie.)
“I’m so glad that it’s going to be launched in theaters,” Weiss informed IndieWire throughout a current interview. “I really feel like these huge, enjoyable occasion movies which can be particularly extra historically girly or geared in direction of ladies [should be in theaters].”
Whereas Common arguably dropped the ball by foregoing a U.S. theatrical premiere for “Bridget Jones: Mad In regards to the Boy” and releasing it solely on Peacock, Disney listened to the overwhelming social media pleasure for a beloved franchise when “Freakier Friday” was lastly confirmed.
Elyse Hollander, the screenwriter who was first introduced as hooked up to the venture in 2023 (Hollander has a co-story-by credit score on the sequel, with Weiss as the only real author), informed IndieWire that the movie was initially not going to be in theaters.
“I used to be positively informed within the early days that that is for streaming,” Hollander stated. “I feel when it was introduced, they [Disney executives] had been pleasantly stunned by the joy round it, and it type of moved it up a tier of like, ‘OK, this may truly turn into an occasion and one thing actually particular.’”
After all, the return of authentic stars Curtis — who championed the sequel for years — and Lindsay Lohan, together with fellow returning faces Chad Michael Murray and Mark Harmon, solely added to the fan pleasure…and, in flip, the stress that the “Freakier Friday” workforce felt when engaged on the characteristic.
“It’s an enormous threat for everyone concerned to return again. You don’t wish to destroy the legacy, you need add to it,” Hollander stated. “I used to be like, ‘I can’t be chargeable for ruining a beloved movie and including to a money seize, schlock pile that will be as soon as direct to DVD.’”
Weiss, who boarded the legacy sequel in 2024 when her “Dollface” collaborator Nisha Ganatra joined as director, credited the shared love for the 2003 “Freaky Friday” amongst each creatives and executives alike. “I bear in mind seeing ‘Freaky Friday’ in theaters with my mother once I was 10 years previous,” Weiss stated. “I really feel like I used to be the middle of the audience. I used to be an enormous Lindsay Lohan fan. It was completely certainly one of my favourite films. So when when Disney referred to as with the chance to return in and work on it, it was a straightforward, excited sure.”
Based on Weiss, there have been sure “non-negotiables” for “Freakier Friday” that Disney spearheaded, such because the inclusion of rock band Pink Slip and the core solid again in lead roles. Kristin Burr and Andrew Gunn, each producers on the 2003 movie, additionally returned for the sequel. Weiss additional credited Disney SVP of growth Alison Erman for being integral to sustaining the “Freaky Friday” legacy.
“It was a mix of legacy producers and millennial executives and a millennial screenwriter, who had been all like, ‘We both love this film as a result of we labored on it’ or ‘We had been youngsters when it got here out and are obsessive about each a part of it,’” Weiss stated. “I feel [Alison] being of this era and having that shut tie made her such an asset as a studio govt engaged on this.” (For all different millennials, Erman can also be engaged on “Princess Diaries 3.”)
The monetary return of releasing “Freakier Friday” theatrically stays to be seen, however as Gen-Zers would say, millennial ladies are already seated. That purchasing energy of thirtysomething ladies has but to be absolutely realized (or at the very least embraced) by Hollywood, as Weiss defined. Having a female-oriented, nostalgia-driven movie in theaters has traditionally paid off, particularly lately.
“We noticed it with ‘Barbie,’ we noticed it with ‘Depraved.’ I feel having that in the identical approach, with how each summer time there’s a actually thrilling MCU or DC launch, would make sense with these huge, female-driven franchises,” Weiss stated. “They’re lastly being given their day in theaters in that huge summer time blockbuster approach. It simply makes me so excited as a lady who loves girly pop films.”
Hollander added, “I feel what’s actually taking place within the zeitgeist is persons are truly recognizing that female-leaning IP after ‘Barbie’ truly has a spot within the market. We’ve accomplished ‘Transformers,’ we’ve accomplished ‘GI Joe,’ we’ve accomplished ‘Sonic’ and all of the comedian ebook films. So now, what does that gaze appear to be for us [women]?”
It was truly actress/producer Curtis who had the dignity of saying to followers in every single place that “Freakier Friday” would (fortunately) be in theaters. The Academy Award winner wrote in 2024 teasing the discharge, “Sure, you heard me…The theaters. The place all of us go and revel in a shared expertise in the dead of night whereas munching popcorn and sweet and laughing collectively and generally crying collectively. Till then.”
And as for the criticisms that “the whole lot is a remake” these days, let’s be actual: That’s not new, both. “Freaky Friday” itself was first a 1976 movie based mostly on the ebook by Mary Rodgers. It later turned a 1995 TV film earlier than being as soon as once more tailored into the 2003 movie that now spurred the sequel “Freakier Friday.”
Nonetheless, the “Transformers”-esque franchises aren’t complained about on-line the identical approach, if in any respect. “If individuals wish to decide feminine franchises with a more durable lens, that’s nothing new both,” Hollander stated. “As ladies, we’re all the time held to a better customary, so we’ll rise to the event.”
It really works so effectively with Weiss’ “Freakier Friday” {that a} third movie may even be on the horizon. “Any model of a film that has sophisticated feminine dynamics in a enjoyable, foolish joyous approach that additionally has magical realism gadgets, I’m like, ‘Signal me up.’ So if which means ‘Freakiest Friday,’ yeah, OK,” Weiss stated.
Put together for extra potential flack from on-line trolls, although. But Weiss is unfazed. “The factor that’s humorous to me is that there’s a number of dialog now of like, ‘Oh my God, the whole lot’s a reboot, the whole lot’s a sequel. I miss the ’90s and early 2000s when the whole lot was authentic,’ and I’m like, ‘These had been additionally all remakes,’” she stated. “There are most likely so many films that folks don’t understand had been truly films from the ’30s or ’40s. I’m like, ‘Hollywood’s constructed on it.’ Possibly we’re all the time re-innovating, however I’ve embraced it. I feel that each one of those tales are authentic, and you continue to are creating one thing new. All of us begin with a clean web page.”
A Walt Disney Photos launch, “Freakier Friday” is now in theaters.