Disney is bringing back the beloved family comedy Freaky Friday for a sequel, and it looks like they’ve found their new young star. According to an industry insider, 14-year-old actress Julia Butters is in talks to join the cast.
The original Freaky Friday was a huge hit in 2003, starring Jamie Lee Curtis as a stressed-out mom (Tess Coleman) and Lindsay Lohan (Anne Coleman) as her rebellious teenage daughter.
One day, the two find themselves magically trapped in each other’s bodies. This lets them see what life is like from the other’s perspective. By the end, they understand each other a whole lot better. The film was based on a popular children’s book of the same name and also inspired a TV sequel in 2006.
Julia Butters Cast in Freaky Friday Sequel
While Disney has yet to officially confirm the casting news, The Insneider reported that Julia Butters is in prime position to land the lead role in Freaky Friday sequel. She is no stranger to the big screen, having impressed audiences with her acting chops in Leonardo DiCaprio‘s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
The LA native has also starred as Claire in Ryan Gosling‘s The Gray Man, as Reggie Fabelman in Michelle Williams‘ The Fabelmans, and as Anna-Kat Otto in American Housewife.
Besides this, while the official cast hasn’t been finalized, sources (as reported by Deadline) say there’s a good chance of seeing some familiar faces return. Jamie Lee Curtis, who played the uptight mom Tess Coleman, is reportedly in talks to reprise her role.
And of course, Lindsay Lohan, who stole the show as the rebellious teenager Anna Coleman, is also being eyed to return. Director Nisha Ganatra, known for her work on the film Late Night, is on board to helm the project.
What to Expect from the Freaky Friday Sequel?
Plot details for Freaky Friday 2 are still under wraps, but fans can expect a fresh take on the classic story. It’s still unclear if the film will be released in theaters or on Disney+. The original Freaky Friday was a big hit, making over $160 million (via Box Office Mojo) worldwide. With streaming becoming so popular, Disney might choose to release it online for viewers at home.
The original Freaky Friday resonated with audiences of all ages. It showed how parents and kids don’t always understand each other, but they can always learn to appreciate each other more. Now, as there’s a sequel coming out with a super talented young actress, looks like it will be just as fun as the first one.
Watch Freaky Friday on Disney+.
Frequently asked questions
Is Julia Butters in the Freaky Friday sequel?
Yes. Julia Butters, known for her role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, was cast as Harper Coleman, the teenage daughter of Lindsay Lohan’s character, in the Freaky Friday follow-up. The film was ultimately released as Freakier Friday, with Butters joining the cast alongside the returning original stars in a new body-swap storyline built around the next generation of the Coleman family.
Did the original Freaky Friday cast return for the sequel?
Yes, both Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reprised their original roles as Tess and Anna Coleman in Freakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 hit. The follow-up expands the body-swap concept to a new generation, with Anna’s daughter Harper, played by Julia Butters, also getting caught up in the magical mix-up alongside her mother and grandmother.
What is the Freaky Friday sequel about?
Freakier Friday takes place about two decades after the original film, following Anna Coleman as an adult raising her own teenage daughter, Harper. When a new body-swap incident occurs during a family event, multiple characters across generations end up switching places, forcing the Coleman family to once again learn to see life from each other’s perspective.
