The beloved Freaky Friday franchise has captivated audiences for decades, with its iconic premise of a mother and daughter swapping lives to better understand each other. While the 2003 remake starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan remains a fan favorite, the original 1976 version with Jodie Foster set the stage for the enduring success of the story.
After years of anticipation, the stars aligned for Freakier Friday, a sequel that would bring back the beloved duo of Curtis and Lohan.
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However, there was one major hiccup in bringing the gang back together: Jodie Foster, the star of the original 1976 Freaky Friday, has declined to return for a cameo in the new film.
Disney’s Exciting Sequel Plans
After years of speculation, it seemed that Disney was finally ready to bring the Freaky Friday franchise back for another round. The excitement grew when Curtis and Lohan confirmed they would be reprising their roles as Tess and Anna Coleman. Fans could not wait to see how the mother-daughter duo would navigate a new series of events, possibly even facing new challenges as they continue to swap roles.
With a release date on the horizon, the announcement seemed like the perfect way to tap into nostalgia while introducing a fresh take on the beloved characters.
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Curtis herself had long expressed her desire for a sequel, saying that she wanted to revisit her character and bring Tess’s growth to the forefront. As a powerful force in the entertainment industry, Curtis’s willingness to return showed the passion behind making this sequel happen.
In addition to Curtis and Lohan, many of the original film’s fans were hopeful for some familiar faces in supporting roles.
The Missing Cameo: Jodie Foster’s Refusal
In the 1976 version of Freaky Friday, Jodie Foster played Annabel, the daughter who swaps places with her mother in a magical twist. Foster’s performance in the film was a defining part of its success, earning her a place in movie history.
With Freaky Friday becoming a popular and beloved movie, it made sense that Disney would want to pay tribute to the original by bringing Foster into the sequel.
But that was not meant to be. Director Nisha Ganatra revealed to Entertainment Weekly that despite several attempts to bring Foster back into the fold, the actress had refused to participate in the sequel.
“We begged her. She’s not going to do it,” Ganatra says of Foster.
The filmmaker explains that she “never found out why” Foster declined to star in the movie, but does reveal some ideas on how the Oscar-winning actress would have appeared in the movie if she had agreed.
“I think we were going to make her the principal at the school,” Ganatra recalls, adding that there was also talk of replacing Anna’s troublesome teacher, Mr. Bates, with Foster “when we didn’t know if [actor Stephen Tobolowsky] would come back.”
Ganatra continues: “Honestly, we tried everything. We were like, ‘What about this?'” Still, Foster turned the part down.
Related: The ‘Freakier Friday’ Trailer Just Dropped a Cameo That’s Driving Fans Wild!
A Sequel with Heart
Even without Foster’s return, the film’s creators have found ways to honor Foster’s legacy by weaving aspects of the original into the sequel. While Foster’s character won’t be physically present, her influence is still felt throughout the story, with nods to the classic 1976 version embedded within the script.
As we move forward with Freakier Friday 2, it’s clear that the sequel will blend the charm of the 2003 remake with a contemporary perspective, ensuring that both long-time fans and new audiences enjoy the magic that has made Freaky Friday an enduring hit.
Freakier Friday is slated to premiere in theaters nationwide on August 8.
But what do you think? Should Jodie Foster have returned for the Freaky Friday sequel, or is her absence not as impactful as some might think? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know how you feel about the direction Disney is taking with this sequel!
