‘Freakier Friday’ Features 2x the Body Swaps as ‘Freaky Friday’

In keeping with the original title Freaky Friday, the eagerly anticipated sequel doesn’t limit Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan to switching roles as mother and daughter once more. Instead, in Freakier Friday, their characters exchange bodies not only with Lohan’s own daughter but also her new step-daughter, portrayed by Julia Butters and Sophia Hammons. That’s right, a unique four-person body swap, making it even more unconventional as the title suggests.

22 years following the success of “Freaky Friday,” another film was released, which is nearly 50 years after the initial movie starring Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris. This newer film includes recurring roles by Mark Harmon and Chad Michael Murray, as well as Manny Jacinto portraying Lohan’s new love interest.

In addition, the teaser trailer includes Vanessa Bayer portraying a fortune teller who seems to be involved in the new transformation that takes place among the characters. Take a look at the Freakier Friday trailer below:

Additionally, there’s a fresh poster for “Freakier Friday” that echoes the iconic design of the 2003 “Freaky Friday” poster.

For comparison’s sake, here is that earlier poster…

Here is the new sequel’s official synopsis:

In the movie, Curtis and Lohan return to portray Tess and Anna Coleman respectively. The plot unfolds some years following Tess (Curtis) and Anna (Lohan) experiencing an identity predicament. Anna now has a child of her own and is about to gain a stepdaughter. As they face the multitude of difficulties that arise when two families blend, Tess and Anna find out that fate might repeat itself.

Freakier Friday is scheduled to open in theaters on August 8.

Remakes That Were Drastically Different From the Original

A Star Is Born (1976)

Originally released in 1937 and remade in 1954, the film “A Star Is Born” has undergone several transformations. The initial version from the 1930s was a romance set within the movie industry, inspired by an earlier melodrama called “What Price Hollywood?” The 1954 adaptation introduced musical numbers and featured James Mason and Judy Garland as the main characters. It wasn’t until 1976 that the film shifted focus to two musicians, with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson playing the roles. This version was a massive success and even won an Oscar. Most recently, a remake featuring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper was released, inspired by the earlier versions. In 2042, one might expect another remake of “A Star Is Born,” possibly centered around a pair of TikTokers, one rising to fame and the other struggling with their relevance in the late 2030s or beyond.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

In essence, both “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” films from 1956 and 1978 share a common theme: extraterrestrials that can perfectly replicate human appearances. However, the way this idea is explored and the underlying messages are quite distinct. The 1950s version was seen as an allegory for McCarthyism and conformity, while the 1970s version criticized consumerism and self-help gurus. The original had a somewhat somber ending, but the 1978 film is one of the darkest endings in Hollywood science fiction.

The Thing (1982)

Originally titled “The Thing From Another World” in 1951, the movie has been remade with two adaptations, both based on John W. Campbell’s short story “Who Goes There?” The stories revolve around human crews in isolated outposts battling an extraterrestrial threat. However, in the 1950s version, this menace was portrayed as a typical movie monster with a large bald head and clawed hands. John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” released later, more accurately depicted Campbell’s concept by featuring an alien capable of assuming human form, similar to those pesky Body Snatchers. This creature occasionally transforms into grotesque, flesh-filled nightmares as well. A notable difference between the two films is their settings: while the original takes place in the Arctic, the remake occurs in Antarctica, which might interest geography enthusiasts due to its significance.

Scarface (1983)

Originally based on the 1932 film “Scarface” by Howard Hawks, Brian De Palma’s 1980s remake has left an indelible mark on crime cinema, gracing countless dorm rooms with posters and inspiring references in numerous TV shows, movies, and songs. However, it is unclear how many of these contemporary creators are aware that De Palma’s Scarface is a reinterpretation; the original story followed an Italian immigrant rising to power as a crime boss in Chicago, while De Palma’s character, Tony Montana, emigrates from Cuba and establishes himself as a kingpin in Miami. Despite these changes, the adaptation strays significantly from the source material.

The Bachelor (1999)

In 1999’s “The Bachelor”, an unexpected choice for Buster Keaton’s comic role was Chris O’Donnell. He portrayed a man who found out he would inherit a vast fortune, but only if he could get married within hours. Interestingly, not many people know that the Robert Downey Jr. film “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” is actually a modern adaptation of Keaton’s earlier work, “Sherlock Jr.” (Although I should clarify that this last connection is more of an imaginative leap on my part.)

When a Stranger Calls (2006)

Revamped From: When a Stranger Calls (1979)

The iconic 1979 film, Stranger Calls, gained notoriety for its chilling opening scene, an extended sequence involving a babysitter being stalked by mysterious phone calls originating from within the house. The rest of the movie unfolded years later, focusing on a detective hunting down a killer. The 2006 remake expanded the memorable opening scene into a full-length film. Could a 20-minute sequence be stretched into a 90-minute film? Apparently so! However, whether it became a standout movie remains debatable…

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans (2009)

A different take on: Bad Lieutenant (1992)

Some people might argue that Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call – New Orleans isn’t a remake due to its significant differences from Abel Ferrara’s Bad Lieutenant. The film is set in a different city, has a new cast of characters, and was directed by Werner Herzog. However, if we define a remake as a movie about a police lieutenant who engages in questionable behavior, then it certainly qualifies! It’s just a remake that takes creative liberties with the original storyline.

RoboCop (2014)

Originally based on: RoboCop (1987)

Following in the footsteps of Paul Verhoeven is no easy task, as evidenced by those who attempted RoboCop 2 and 3. However, this peculiar remake smoothed out all of Verhoeven’s distinctive rough edges, resulting in an unintentionally comical redesign for the RoboCop character (portrayed here by Joel Kinnaman). The character’s development was also significantly altered. In Verhoeven’s original, RoboCop is a blank slate with little memory of his family; the movie revolves around his gradual rediscovery of his humanity. In contrast, José Padilha’s version features numerous interactions between RoboCop and his wife and son, even using them as hostages in a dramatic rescue mission during the climactic action sequence. Unfortunately, it seems that the remake lost sight of its purpose, never fully clarifying its intended message.

Pete’s Dragon (2016)

In recent years, I’ve grown a bit skeptical towards most Disney live-action remakes, as they often feel more like money-making ventures than creative endeavors. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as David Lowery’s take on “Pete’s Dragon.” This modern adaptation discards the musical elements and the broader comedic tone of the original for a more serious and immersive children’s adventure. Compare the cast lists: The remake boasts Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban, and Robert Redford. In contrast, the original film featured Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, and Jim Backus.

The Mummy (2017)

The The Mummy franchise has always been unique, with each remake bearing little resemblance to its predecessors, despite maintaining the common theme of a supernatural mummy. The 1932 version of The Mummy was steeped in the tradition of Universal Monsters, offering plenty of eerie ambiance. In contrast, the 1999 version drew inspiration from adventure films like Indiana Jones. Fast forward to 2017, and The Mummy found itself becoming one of Tom Cruise’s most peculiar roles, as he played a soldier who was resurrected by the spirit of an ancient Egyptian princess seeking world domination. Additionally, this film was intended as a stepping stone for Universal’s “Dark Universe,” an unsuccessful attempt to transform iconic Universal Monsters into a multi-genre franchise similar to the MCU. Regrettably, the Dark Universe never produced a second film, making the absurd subplot about a covert organization tasked with managing supernatural beings (with Russell Crowe portraying Dr. Jekyll!) even more ridiculous.

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022)

Title Change: From “Blazing Saddles” (1974) to “Paws of Fury”

Originally titled “Blazing Samurai”, this modern take features a canine protagonist, played by Michael Cera, who assumes the role of law enforcer in a world inhabited by felines. Instead of an African-American sheriff dealing with racism in the Old West, our hero is a dog tasked with upholding order and mastering the art of samurai swordsmanship. Despite not receiving the same level of critical and commercial success as Mel Brooks’ classic Western comedy, “Paws of Fury” shares similarities that become apparent upon closer observation.

Road House (2024)

Originally released in 1989, “Road House” was unique with its blend of rugged bar brawls and philosophical reflections. Remarkably, they decided to remake this film, deviating from the original narrative that revolved around the world’s top bar bouncer. In contrast, the 2024 version follows a struggling former UFC fighter (Jake Gyllenhaal) who takes on a job as a bouncer due to financial hardships. Although he still confronts a local business tycoon, there are more martial arts battles and less philosophical dialogue in this remake. Despite these changes, the result is surprisingly entertaining, much like the original “Road House.” (Perhaps, it’s because of these differences that it remains faithful to the spirit of the original film.)

2025-03-14 22:04

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