Disney’s 2003 version of Freaky Friday almost looked very different. Annette Bening and Michelle Trachtenberg were initially cast as mother and daughter in the remake of the 1977 film that saw Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster switching bodies on Friday the 13th. However, Trachtenberg couldn’t fulfill her commitment to shoot Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Bening dropped out shortly before production began.
Producer Andrew Gunn recalls that Nina Jacobson, then president of Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group, happened to see Jamie Lee Curtis in True Lies on TV and suggested her for the updated role of the therapist mom Tess, who gets trapped in the body of her teenage daughter Anna, an aspiring musician, after they each open a magical fortune cookie. And while Lindsay Lohan’s audition for the part of Anna hadn’t been stellar, she had already proved herself in Disney’s 1998 remake of The Parent Trap. The pair clicked, and their casting is credited with saving the movie.
Buena Vista released the $26 million film 20 years ago. On Aug. 6, 2003, it made $160.8 million worldwide, earned positive reviews from critics, and is now considered a cult classic. In May, Disney confirmed a sequel is in development, and Curtis and Lohan are in talks to return. As the film marks its anniversary, many of the key players reflect on the making of Freaky Friday.
Producer Andrew Gunn reveals that it was a fortuitous opportunity for him when Disney executive Nina Jacobson expressed interest in working with him. Gunn pitched two films, Freaky Friday and Witch Mountain, and was given the green light to develop them. However, the success of Princess Diaries in 2001 showed the studio that movies aimed at girls and their mothers could be hugely successful.
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Director Mark Waters recalls his initial meeting with Gunn and Jacobson, admitting that he didn’t think the script was any good. But he pitched a new version of the film, emphasizing the need to have a rebel daughter and a straight-laced mom in order to make it interesting. His pitch was ultimately accepted, and the film started to come together.
The original cast for Freaky Friday included Annette Bening and Michelle Trachtenberg, but Trachtenberg had to drop out due to her commitment to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Annette Bening was initially interested but ultimately decided to step away from the project. Gunn reveals that it was Jacobson who suggested Jamie Lee Curtis after seeing her in True Lies.
Waters believes that Curtis’ casting saved the film. Her chemistry with Lindsay Lohan and their aggressive energy made their performances stand out. Even Annette Bening admitted that Curtis was the better choice for the role. Waters also discusses the casting of Mark Harmon, who replaced Tom Selleck, and how Lindsay Lohan’s star presence secured her the role despite not having the best audition.
The cast members reflect on their auditions and filming experiences. Ryan Malgarini, who played Harry, remembers the excitement of being cast and working with well-known actors. Lucille Soong, who played Pei-Pei’s mom, believes that Curtis was more suitable for the role than Bening.
Overall, Freaky Friday was a success, both critically and commercially. The film’s anniversary marks a celebration of the film’s impact and a confirmation of a sequel in development, proving the enduring popularity of the body-switching concept. The casting choices, while initially uncertain, ultimately played a significant role in the film’s success.
