Even without a reboot, Lizzie McGuire alum Jake Thomas can figure it out on the way.
As a devoted fan, I’ve been following the beloved series that debuted on Disney Channel approximately 25 years ago, and five years since its potential revival was halted, I have a fair notion about where my character and the exceptional Hilary Duff’s sibling characters would find themselves today.
In an exclusive chat with Francesca Amiker from TopMob News, Jake conveyed that their relationship with their sibling felt remarkably similar. “Despite their playful squabbles,” he said, “they’ve always shared a profound, familial bond underpinned by love. Even during their disagreements, they ended each day knowing they cared for one another deeply.
As a loyal follower, I can say that if I were Matt, the sibling known for seizing opportunities easily within reach, I would undeniably take advantage of any chance to make jabs at Lizzie, even when we’re both grappling with mature, grown-up problems together.
But alas, fans won’t be able to see this on TV after the reboot “fell apart,” according to Jake.
He noted, ‘Things like that can just occur.’ It turned out to be unfortunate timing given all that was happening. It happened at the onset of the COVID pandemic.
Still, Jake is grateful to have been a part of it.
Beyond that, I’ve developed an enduring connection with my fellow cast members, particularly my on-screen parents, Hallie Todd and Robert Carradine. We’ve formed a special bond that goes beyond the screen.
Jake, who plays Marco Silva in the game MindsEye now available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC (June 10), mentioned that they have been like his aunt and uncle since he was young. He added, “They occasionally send me a message, ‘Hey, how are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while.’
Occasionally, I run into Hillary at the local farmer’s market. Our paths cross now and then.
He pointed out the surprising impact that ‘Lizzie McGuire’ has had on millennial culture, with it still being a frequent topic of discussion today. It astounds me and I’m grateful for this enduring connection.
Additionally, he has formed an enduring connection with his co-stars, encompassing his on-screen parents Hallie Todd and Robert Carradine.
Jake, who plays Marco Silva in the game MindsEye (available on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC starting June 10), said, “Growing up, they were more like my aunts and uncles to me.” He occasionally receives messages from them asking, “Hey, how are you? I haven’t heard from you in a while.
Occasionally, I run into Hillary at the local farmer’s market. Our paths cross now and then.
Reflecting on his time with Lizzie McGuire, Jake remarked, “It’s almost hard to believe—when you consider the passage of time—that was 25 years ago! Yet, it feels like such an integral part of my life that it’s always been a constant presence. It doesn’t seem like it happened so long ago.
Hey now, for more secrets about the making of Lizzie McGuire, read on.
Originally, the title of this show was “What’s Lizzie Thinking?” and when it was first presented to Disney, it didn’t feature the well-known animated Lizzie narration by Hilary Duff, but instead had a regular voiceover from her.
2. Apart from Mandy Moore, other actresses who auditioned for the role of Lizzie also included Lindsay Lohan (who later became Duff’s rival due to their love triangle with Aaron Carter), Sarah Paxton, and Hailee Hirsh. Despite Duff ultimately getting the part, producer Stan Rogow once mentioned to TopMob News that all their choices were “outstanding” and left them “eager to present these options to the network as potential Lizzies.”
3. In an interview with TopMob News, Duff admitted that she performed poorly during her audition as she hadn’t memorized her lines: “I didn’t prepare well.” On the verge of leaving acting before securing her breakout role, she approached the audition casually, but the show’s creator, Terri Minsky, recognized her raw talent and contacted her.
According to Minsky, he openly pointed out, “‘More is required from you to fully embody the role,'” because he recognized an abundance of talent in the individual.
4. One possible explanation for Duff securing the job could be her distinctive fashion sense, as Disney’s ex-entertainment president Rich Ross stated to Newsweek, “During the casting for Lizzie McGuire, we summoned her four times. She wasn’t doing anything incorrect. She simply wore such fabulous outfits that we were intrigued to see what she would wear next.” Eventually, Duff admitted that she used her clothing to differentiate herself from the multitude of other auditionees.
5. A recollection that the Disney Channel aired a show called Lizzie: At first, the network resisted when the writers proposed an episode about Lizzie purchasing her first bra. The executives reportedly exclaimed, “Oh my god, you can’t do that!” according to TopMob. This was somewhat revolutionary for its time.
6. Indeed, the bra episode is undeniably one of the episodes I’ll never forget. Reflecting on it, I recall feeling quite intrigued by the idea of a bra since I found it rather appealing. Additionally, I remember being anxious about how to acquire one, as I knew I needed to discuss this with my parents, and that seemed daunting at the time.
7. Initially, Ethan (Clayton Snyder) was portrayed as the typical high school athlete in the storyline, but as time passed, he developed feelings for Lizzie. Interestingly, it was Danny Kessler (Byron Fox) who was originally envisioned as The Guy, a fact that writer Nina Bargiel has shared at some point.
As a lifestyle connoisseur, I shared with the vibrant Feminist Disney Tumblr community that there was another charming young man who seemed to be on my radar, but it appeared he wasn’t in a position to reciprocate my feelings. Given this predicament, we found ourselves yearning for fresh connections and, serendipitously, Ethan was already within our circle. Consequently, we nurtured and amplified his qualities, creating an alluring presence.
8. However, as Lizzie yearned for Ethan, the beloved character Gordo, portrayed by Adam Lamberg, harbored secret feelings for his friend. Following two seasons and a movie, the audience was rewarded with their kiss, implying that these best friends may have transitioned into a romantic relationship.
Bargiel stated that it was evident fans were hoping for Lizzie and Gordo to become a couple. He explained that since the Lizzie McGuire series seemed to be coming to an end, they aimed to provide a satisfying conclusion, ensuring fans enjoyed the final chapter.
After the movie was released, its finale marked Lizzie’s final appearance in the series, as later episodes followed but were not considered part of her storyline.
9. During an interview with MTV, Snyder confessed that he spent the most time on hair and makeup compared to the rest of the cast, in order to create Ethan’s iconic flowing hairstyle. “Off-set, I had a wild, curly mass of hair resembling a clown wig,” he explained. “I took longer than the girls did to style it, making it as sleek and straight as possible. They transformed it with products, hairspray, flat irons, and even more products.
10. Following their graduation from middle school, it was intended that Lizzie McGuire would transition to ABC for a prime-time sitcom about her high school years with her friends, as well as produce a follow-up to the popular movie. However, intense contract discussions led to Disney and Duff ending their collaboration.
Disney Studios’ then-production chief, Nina Jacobson, shared with Entertainment Weekly that they were keen on extending the “Lizzie” series. However, every agreement has a limit, a point where it no longer benefits both parties. Regrettably, we reached that point during our negotiations for “Lizzie,” and as a result, we had to part ways.
11. In an open conversation with Entertainment Weekly, my mom, who also served as my manager at the time, Susan Duff, courageously shared her perspective. She stated that Disney underestimated our resilience, assuming they could push us into accepting any offer they proposed for a sequel. However, we stood firm and chose to step away from the potential sequel, effectively ending their franchise. The affection wasn’t reciprocated…Hilary wasn’t receiving the recognition she deserved.
Speaking as a lifestyle authority, I must clarify my position on this matter: My legal representative has made it clear to The Los Angeles Times that Disney’s heavy-handed negotiations and failure to compensate me fairly compared to other studio and network offers were the primary reasons for the breakdown in our discussions with the Duffs. Although the Lizzie McGuire franchise may have concluded for Disney, I am thrilled to say that my career is thriving.
12. Following Lizzie’s sudden conclusion, producers created a pilot focusing on Selena Gomez’s character Stevie, portraying her as the sister to Lalaine’s character Miranda in a new setup.
Just like Lizzie, my thoughts too might find expression through an animated avatar. That year, two pilots were proposed to Disney Channel, with them choosing the other one over the show centered around Gomez – the one titled Hannah Montana. Despite this, Gomez managed to secure the lead role in The Wizards of Waverly Place, a part that eventually catapulted her to fame.
13. During its peak period of success, “Lizzie McGuire” was generating approximately $100 million from merchandise sales, such as clothing, books, soundtracks, and more. This Disney Channel series held the record for being the highest-rated and most successful show at that time. On average, it attracted 2 million viewers per episode, and was aired every day of the week (with ABC airing it on Saturday mornings as well).
14. After decades of speculation and hints, it was confirmed by Disney+ in August 2019 that they were bringing back Lizzie McGuire. Hilary Duff will once again take on the beloved character, while the show’s original creator will oversee the TV series for streaming. The storyline will center around a 30-year-old Lizzie as she navigates life in New York City.
15. The casting details were initially secretive, but a picture from the first rehearsal exposed that the original McGuire family would be making a comeback. Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine, and Jake Thomas will reprise their roles as Lizzie’s parents and her mischievous little brother Matt.
16. However, Lizzie and Gordo fans may be disappointed: They won’t be a couple when the revival begins because Lizzie is already engaged to someone else; however, Lamberg was set to reprise his role. Duff shared with Vulture, “I think it was their dynamic that made it great…it’s that one person you wonder about, ‘Was he the one? Will things ever work out?'” She added, “It’ll leave everyone a little heartbroken, and it will continue to do so.
17a. Regrettably, the series didn’t get off the ground, as Duff announced sadly in December 2020 following Minsky’s departure due to creative disagreements.
Despite countless attempts and discussions aimed at reviving the show, it turns out that a reboot won’t be possible,” Duff shared after urging Disney+ to transfer the series to Hulu. “Let’s take a moment to honor the incredible character she would have become and the thrilling journeys we could have embarked on together. I share in your disappointment, but assure you that everyone did their utmost, and unfortunately, things didn’t fall into place as we had hoped. Alas, such is 2020.
18. Cardi B, a follower of Lizzie McGuire, expressed at Vogue’s Forces of Fashion conference in 2019 how deeply the movie affected her.
Has anyone watched the Hilary Duff movie titled “The Lizzie McGuire Movie“? There’s a tune in it that whenever I receive an invitation to an event I’ve long desired, I find myself humming it mentally. She expressed this feeling while talking about being invited to Paris Fashion Week. The lyrics go, “Hey now, hey now, this is what dreams are made of.” This is exactly how I feel every time I’m invited to these fashion events.
19. Regarding the movie, “The Lizzie McGuire Movie” turned out to be a surprise success when it hit theaters in May 2003. It opened at the second spot on the box office charts, just behind “X2: X-Men United,” and eventually earned more than $50 million in ticket sales.
20. Many viewers were disappointed when Miranda wasn’t in the film and seemed absent during several final episodes, as her family embarked on a lengthy holiday. However, this was due to the fact that Lalaine chose to concentrate on her musical endeavors instead.
21′. Following her stint as Lizzie that catapulted her to teen idol status, many admirers were taken aback when Duff decided to temporarily step away from acting.
In an interview with PrideSource in 2015, she mentioned that people considered her as completely insane due to her significant success and wealth. She continued by stating that it was terrifying because there was no assurance about the longevity of her career. Personally, she found it crucial since she had spent most of her life under the limelight and on tour, with everyone knowing her and having a specific image of her. At one point, she questioned whether she still recognized herself and if she had the time to explore who she truly was anymore.
She confessed that being called Lizzie sometimes felt “tormenting” for her. However, she enjoyed it during the filming process. She clarified that at the time, she hadn’t realized how successful the show would become, and after that, being constantly referred to as Lizzie McGuire became quite irritating. Now, she no longer feels that way. It doesn’t bother her anymore.
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2025-06-11 15:17