Freaky Friday 2 Director Addresses Major Issue from Original Movie

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In her recent announcement, film director Nisha Ganatra shares that the upcoming movie “Freakier Friday” will address an outstanding issue from the original film. Originally released in 2003, “Freaky Friday” features Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as a mother-daughter duo who unexpectedly trade places following a magical mishap. For the sequel, titled “Freakier Friday“, Curtis and Lohan reprise their roles as Tess and Anna. In an exciting plot twist, this new installment will introduce additional body-swapping scenarios, with both a daughter and stepdaughter getting involved in the mix.

In a chat with Entertainment Weekly, Ganatra shares that while the body-swapping theme is prominent in “Freakier Friday,” an aspect missing from the remake is the use of Asian stereotypes, which she acknowledges as “complicated” due to the beloved nature of the original film. However, she emphasizes that there were certain stereotypes that were harmful in the previous movie.

I vividly recall the experience of watching it, as I found myself conflicted, particularly concerning the depiction of Asians, and also the restaurant’s soundtrack. This issue was one I immediately addressed during my initial discussions with the producers. A moment in the presentation stood out to me as, ‘potentially problematic Asian representation!’

Star Manny Jacinto, who portrays Eric, Anna’s future spouse in Freaky Friday, confessed that he harbored reservations about participating in the film due to how the initial production portrayed its two Asian characters.

When I decided to join, I recalled seeing the original ‘Freaky Friday’ movie and thinking it didn’t hold up so well when it came to diverse characters. Given that I know Nisha and have conversations with others from our circle, I was confident we had a leader who understood those character types or the problems presented in the first film. Overall, I felt reassured that things would be handled sensitively.

In the upcoming film “Freakier Friday,” Pei-Pei, played by Rosalind Chao, and her mother, portrayed by Lucille Soong, will reappear. However, this time around, things are expected to be different. The director stated that they felt it was essential to rectify any issues from the original film. Regarding the roles of Pei-Pei and her mother in the movie, Ganatra and screenwriter Jordan Weiss have incorporated “some amusing moments,” which include a humorous dialogue exchange. To summarize, Ganatra said, “Do you think I have nothing better to do than solve your problems?

In addition to the unusual events depicted in “Freaky Friday,” there’s a scene where Anna expresses her intention to braid hair in an appropriate manner, demonstrating the film’s focus on cultural sensitivity. This is one of several instances that Ganatra emphasizes as “small but impactful details” that avoid repeating offensive elements seen in the previous movie. Here are some final thoughts from both Ganatra and Jacinto:

Ganatra: “These moments don’t just avoid betraying the film, but provide a sense of satisfaction for those who felt hurt by certain aspects of the original.”

Jacinto: “It was important for us to show that we’re aware of our mistakes and are making an effort to do better. We want everyone to feel represented and included in this version of ‘Freaky Friday.’

In the 2003 movie, it wasn’t a deliberate choice at the time, but the issue is significant and as an Asian individual, I found myself very sensitive to it.

Speaker: “I’m not sure if the movie would have had the same warmth and appeal if a different director were in charge. This one manages to keep things down-to-earth and genuine, yet still engaging and entertaining. It’s quite challenging to strike that balance, but she does it beautifully.

What This Means For Freakier Friday

The Representation Fixes Are A Bonus

Times have a way of shifting what’s deemed acceptable from one era to another. For instance, the film “Freaky Friday” had some problematic Asian representation in its time, but this didn’t significantly impact its reception by critics or at the box office. Today, the Lindsay Lohan movie has an impressive 88% rating among critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Moreover, it generated a staggering $160 million against a budget of just $20 million, eventually garnering a dedicated fanbase, particularly among viewers of a specific generation.

In a more casual tone: The changes made in “Freaky Friday 2” to address representation concerns may not significantly affect its box office success, as it seems these issues aren’t central to the storyline. As mentioned earlier by Ganatra, these alterations are primarily aimed at rectifying past mistakes and reintroducing beloved secondary characters. Characters like Pei-Pei and her mother were less prominent in the original film’s narrative, but they played a pivotal role in the magic of body-swapping, and could potentially serve the same purpose in the sequel.

Our Take On Freakier Friday’s Updated Asian Representation

The Sequel Is Making A Positive Change

In the upcoming movie “Freakier Friday,” it remains unclear what roles Pei-Pei and her mother might play. However, it’s reassuring to note that the filmmaker, Ganatra, has made a concerted effort to ensure these characters are portrayed in a culturally sensitive manner. Such a detail is often overlooked in reviews unless the representation is questionable, suggesting that the thoughtful depiction of Pei-Pei and her mother might go unnoticed by some viewers.

A decent portrayal of various cultures may not guarantee a film is excellent. It would be great if the upcoming sequel could provide more humor and touching scenes as well. However, it’s still significant to appreciate Freakier Friday‘s careful consideration for thoughtful representation, regardless of the final movie quality.

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2025-04-30 22:40