Secrets About Freaky Friday Revealed

by

We definitely can’t chill for a sec over this news.

More than two decades after its release, Freaky Friday is getting a sequel. Again.

The movie launched on August 6, 2003, was essentially a modern adaptation of the 1976 film with the same title. Instead of Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster, this remake showcased Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in the roles of Tess and Anna, two women who have a strained relationship. On a peculiar Friday morning, they find themselves mysteriously switched bodies, courtesy of a magical fortune cookie from China. Amidst the heartfelt chaos, various comedic incidents unfold.

Under the guidance of director Mark Waters, who later cast Lohan in the 2004 movie “Mean Girls”, the film “Freaky Friday” turned out to be an unexpected success at the box office, earning over $160 million and gaining a devoted fanbase. Over time, these fans have been growing increasingly eager for news about a potential sequel, resembling crypt keepers as they patiently wait.

At last, their persistence was rewarded, as TopMob News confirmed in May 2023 that Curtis and Lohan are discussing the possibility of reprising their roles in a sequel movie. This upcoming film is being penned by Elyse Hollander. Hats off to Pei-Pei for her perseverance!

Together with Curtis and Lohan, Chad Michael Murray returned to his character in the film that was shot last summer.

And they weren’t the only stars down for a bit of déjá vu. 

Mark Harmon, previously known for his role as Anna’s stepfather Ryan, Christina Vidal Mitchell (Maddie), Haley Hudson (Peg), and Stephen Tobolowsky (Mr. Bates) are all set to join the festivities. Additionally, Lucille Soong and Rosalind Chao will make a comeback as the proprietors of the Chinese restaurant, the mother-daughter duo.

Curtis, an Oscar winner, shared with Francesca Amiker from TopMob News during the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024 that we recently had a fantastic filming session on Friday. He assured us we’ll be really pleased with the results.

Let’s mark this occasion by learning some fascinating trivia about the original film you might not be aware of! For instance, an on-set kiss took place off-camera, and an Academy Award nominee was initially chosen to play Curtis’ role.

The 2003 movie “Freaky Friday” was the second remake of Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel with the same title. The first time it was adapted for the big screen was in 1976, and a television version was made in 1995.

In the film’s production, producer Andrew Gunn contacted Jodie Foster, known for her portrayal of Annabel in the 1976 movie, to gauge her interest in assuming the mother role. However, Foster declined due to concerns that her involvement might create a distraction.

Initially, Annette Bening was chosen to portray the character Tess Coleman, however, she had to withdraw from the project just six days prior to the commencement of filming.

Following her success as the iconic “scream queen” in the movie “Halloween,” Jamie Lee Curtis believed her leading actress phase was over, until filmmaker Mark Waters proposed that she step into a role previously held by Bening.

In an interview with the Telegraph back in 2003, I shared that I was 44, carrying a bit of extra weight, and sporting a grey mane, choosing not to color it. I was happy with my life just as it was. In this line of work, I’ve always understood when it’s time to gracefully step back, and that’s exactly what I aimed to do.

5. After studying the script and consulting with Waters, Curtis opted to assume the matriarchal role, which involved dying her hair and mastering the guitar. This transformation was intended to rejuvenate her career, as she put it, demonstrating the power of embracing freedom and liberation.

Following her notable performance in “The Parent Trap”, Lindsay Lohan temporarily stepped away from the spotlight in Hollywood, expressing that she felt disoriented by her sudden rise to fame.

She shared with IGN in 2003 that the entire experience of filming “The Parent Trap” was incredible, and she found it hard to imagine surpassing such a fantastic movie. Consequently, she decided to focus on her education and lead a normal life as a teenager. After high school, she participated in two projects for Disney Channel, which were enjoyable but primarily meant to maintain her presence in the industry.

But when she came across the script for Freaky Friday, Lohan knew it was “perfect” for her.

7. Prior to landing the role of Anna, Lindsay Lohan had to outperform four other actresses for the part. Initially, Waters wasn’t impressed with her audition, stating in a 2005 episode of TopMob’s True Hollywood Story that it was “likely the worst of the five.” However, Waters also commented, “We also agreed she was a star. She possessed this intense turbulence and energy that we believed would be fascinating for the character.

Initially, Kelly Osbourne was chosen to portray Lohan’s friend in the movie, but due to Sharon Osbourne (her mother) being diagnosed with colon cancer, Kelly decided not to proceed with the film.

In an interview with Cosmopolitan in 2013, Osbourne put it this way: Faced with the decision between pursuing a career or spending precious moments with his mother during her final days, he chose to be by her side. He devoted himself fully to caring for her around the clock, prioritizing family over professional obligations.

9. In the film, Lohan shared her initial on-screen kiss with Chad Michael Murray, portraying Anna’s romantic interest Jake. Lohan remarked in an interview, “By the 15th take, I wasn’t feeling too jittery anymore!

10. During a 2019 interview on Busy Tonight, Murray disclosed that he also shared a kiss with Curtis off-camera to help calm Lohan’s nerves before their on-screen kiss. In an attempt to break the ice before filming began, Curtis invited Lohan and Murray into her trailer. According to Murray, Curtis unexpectedly leaned in and kissed him. His response? “Wow, I just kissed Jamie Lee Curtis! This is fantastic!

11. Initially, Tom Selleck was chosen to portray Tess’ boyfriend Ryan, but he left the production following Bening’s departure. Later, Mark Harmon stepped into the role, and a strong bond developed between him and Curtis. As a result, the actress made multiple guest appearances on Harmon’s successful CBS series, NCIS.

12. Amir Derakh, a musician from the band Orgy, instructed Curtis and Lohan in playing the guitar. Later, Lohan used this skill to record her debut song titled “Ultimate” for the movie’s soundtrack.

13. In the closing scene, Liahn’s mother and former manager, Dina Liahn, makes a brief appearance among the attendees at the wedding.

14. In the 1976 film, Marc McClure, known for his role as Annabel’s romantic interest, has a short cameo where he portrays Boris, the delivery guy.

15. In an alternative scenario, Harry (Ryan Malgarini) and Grandpa (Harold Gould) discovered the fortune cookies that caused their body swap exactly when an earthquake struck, leaving room for a possible follow-up storyline.

16. There was much talk about a sequel following Curtis’ announcement at a 2022 “Halloween Ends” press event in Mexico City, where she confirmed she would indeed return as Tess. She also shared some news about her relationship with Lohan, jokingly saying she verifies Lohan is not a fraud every time the Mean Girls actress texts her.

Curtis remembered one scene from the movie where they were both eating French fries in a car, attempting to learn the rap from a Justin Timberlake song titled “Like I Love You.” They would play the tape, rewind it, and write down the lyrics of the entire rap.

17. In the three months leading up to the 20th anniversary of the initial movie, TopMob News announced that Curtis and Lohan were likely to switch bodies again. “We usually chat every other day,” Lohan shared with People, “so I believe we’re going to have a blast with this.

Read More

2025-08-08 10:17