Everything We Know About ‘Freaky Friday 2’

Based on the 1972 children’s book by Broadway composer Mary Rodgers, “Freaky Friday”  became an unexpected franchise at Disney. The original story centers on the relationship of teenager Annabel Andrews and her mom, Ellen. After a fight, the two wake up on a Friday morning and discover they have switched bodies.

Since its publication, Disney has adapted the story multiple times, starting with Gary Nelson’s 1976 Golden Globe–nominated film, which starred Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster as Ellen and Annabel, respectively. Rodgers wrote two book sequels—“A Billion for Boris” and “Summer Switch”—which were adapted into standalone, made-for-television specials. In 1995, ABC remade “Freaky Friday” as a TV movie starring Shelley Long and Gaby Hoffmann.

Eight years later, Disney released the now-beloved adaptation starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in August 2003. Lohan plays Anna Coleman, an aspiring teen musician, to Curtis’ Tess, a widowed psychiatrist now engaged to a man her daughter doesn’t like (Mark Harmon). After Anna and Tess get into a heated argument at a Chinese restaurant, the pair split off and read their fortune cookies in separate bathrooms. The next morning, they wake up in each other’s bodies and learn that the only way they can switch back is by showing selfless love toward each other.

The film’s cast also included Harold Gould, Chad Michael Murray, Stephen Tobolowsky, Christina Vidal, Ryan Malgarini, Haley Hudson, Rosalind Chao, Lucille Soong, Willie Garson, and Dina Spybey-Waters.

In 2004, Waters reunited with Lohan on another classic, as the director of “Mean Girls.” And “Freaky Friday” co-writer Heather Hach—who would go on to write the musical adaptation of “Legally Blonde”—teamed up with Rodgers on the 2009 novel “Freaky Monday.”

2003’s “Freaky Friday” was widely acclaimed upon its release, which grossed $160 million in theaters worldwide on a budget of $20 million. Lohan and Curtis also received praise for their roles—Lohan was launched into superstardom, and Curtis received a Golden Globe nomination for best actress.

On March 29, news broke that Disney not only officially greenlit the sequel, but that Curtis and Lohan were also in negotiations to reprise their roles. Along with the news, it was announced that Nisha Ganatra, director of 2019’s “Late Night,” 2020’s “The High Note” and multiple episodes of Hulu’s “Welcome to Chippendales,” will helm the new installment from a script by Jordan Weiss (“Dollface”). Andrew Gunn will also return to produce alongside Kristen Burr and Curtis, with Lohan, Nathan Kelly, and Ann Marie Sanderlin (who co-produced the 2003 film) executive producing.

Curtis responded to the announcement on Instagram, posting a recent photo of her and Lohan, writing, “DUH! FFDEUX!” and tagging the Disney and Disney Studios accounts. 

It’s hard to say whether “Freaky Friday” fans or Curtis herself has been the loudest in calling for a sequel to happen, but it was a collective effort to get the ball rolling. During her global press tour for 2022’s “Halloween Ends,” the actor spoke about the “Freaky Friday” franchise multiple times. During a stop in Mexico City, she answered questions about her still-close relationship with Lohan and told fans she would “absolutely” love to do a sequel or remake.

The next day, she posted a still of her and Lohan from the film on her Instagram with the caption, “So, about that ‘Freaky Friday' revival... you in, @lindsaylohan?” And on “The View,” when given the floor to pitch Disney possible sequel ideas, she told the co-hosts she had already “written to Disney” about wanting to make a follow-up.

In May 2023, Curtis’ wishes came true; the Hollywood Reporter confirmed that “Freaky Friday 2” was in the works. In a New York Times retrospective on the film released on the same day as the development news, Curtis told the paper about the frequency of “Freaky Friday” questions during her “Halloween Ends” press tour. “Something really touched a chord,” she said. “When I came back, I called my friends at Disney and said, ‘It feels like there’s a movie to be made.’ ”

Lohan confirmed both actors’ interest in doing a follow-up: “Jamie and I are both open to that, so we’re leaving it in the hands that be. We would only make something that people would absolutely adore.”

On June 24, Curtis and Lohan’s casting became official when Disney released a behind-the-scenes look at the start of production. On a June 29 appearance on ABC’s “Nightline,” Lohan discussed how the film feels like a homecoming—not just to the “Freaky Friday” universe but also to Disney; her résumé of projects includes “The Parent Trap” (1998), “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” (2004), and “Herbie Fully Loaded” (2005).

“Oh, it’s fantastic,” she said about getting to shoot the new sequel. “We all just have so much fun, and it’s so great to have that on set…. It’s a lot of love, a lot of fun, a lot of laughs. It’s a great experience.”

Curtis has enjoyed a successful few years, making a long-awaited return to the “Halloween” franchise in three films directed by David Gordon Green: “Halloween” (2018), “Halloween Kills” (2021), and “Halloween Ends.” In 2023, the actor won her first Oscar for a supporting role in Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert’s “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and recently received an Emmy nod for her guest appearance on Season 2 of “The Bear” as Carmy’s (Jeremy Allen White) mom, Donna Berzatto. She also returned for the Hulu series’ third season. 

The official “Freaky Friday 2” announcement provided some plot details, with the multigenerational story picking up years after Tess and Anna famously and freakily swapped bodies. Now, Anna has a daughter of her own—and soon, she’ll have a stepdaughter. “As they navigate the myriad challenges that come when two families merge,” the official description says, “Tess and Anna discover that lightning might indeed strike twice.”

Ganatra reportedly shared open casting call details with script sides to her Instagram story while looking to fill the role of Anna’s 14-year-old daughter, Harper, described as “a tomboy with a sharp sense of humor [who’s] in a bit of a mood these days because her longtime single mom is set to marry British restaurateur Eric Davis.” Eric also has a 14-year-old daughter, Lily, who does not get along with Harper. The casting call noted that “Harper should channel ‘Anna’ (Lohan) and Lily should channel ‘Tess’ (Curtis).”

On July 24, Disney also confirmed the return of another beloved star. Murray, who played Anna’s love interest, Jake, is officially joining the project. The streamer shared the news on Instagram with a post of Murray on set as the motorcycle-loving character.

Other confirmed cast members include Manny Jacinto (“The Good Place”), Julia Butters (“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood”), Maitreyi Ramakrishnan (“Never Have I Ever”), and Sophia Hammons (Disney Channel’s “Under Wraps”). Harmon, Vidal, Hudson, Soong, Tobolowsky, and Chao will return from the first film.

Disney also cleared up some uncertainty regarding the film’s release, announcing “Freaky Friday 2” will open nationwide in movie theaters in 2025, followed by a later premiere on Disney+. 

@disneystudios

The band’s back together and coming to theaters in 2025 ????. The sequel to Freaky Friday is now in production!

♬ original sound - Disney Studios

At this time, “Freaky Friday 2” is not casting, but it’s possible the film could be looking for more talent as production continues in Los Angeles in the coming months. (Curtis, Lohan, Harmon, and Butters have already been spotted on set around the city).

In the meantime, check out our guide on how to get cast in Disney projects, which includes some of the best audition tips from Disney actors and casting directors. It’s unclear who the casting director is for the sequel, but you can check out industry tips from the 2003 film’s casting director, Marci Liroff.

Be sure to also bookmark our main movie casting hub and our page for Disney auditions  for more opportunities.