Fans Are Divided Over Netflix's ‘13 Going on 30’ Reboot. ‘I Don’t Think We Need It’
Netflix is bringing back one of the most beloved romantic comedies of the 2000s.
The streaming giant is rebooting 13 Going on 30, the 2004 hit that turned a body-swap fantasy into a cultural touchstone, with a new cast and original star Jennifer Garner stepping into the role of executive producer.
Emily Bader will take over the lead role, with Logan Lerman set to play her romantic counterpart. Brett Haley will direct, working from a screenplay written by Hannah Marks, with revisions by Flora Greeson.
Plot details are being kept under wraps for now.
Fans Have Feelings About It
The announcement drew a range of reactions online.
Some fans were thrilled, with one Instagram user commenting, “this is actually so important to me oh my god,” under a post by The Hollywood Reporter, and another user saying, “made my day.”
Others pushed back. “Why are we remaking everything!?!? Where are the original screenplays,” one Instagram user wrote under a post by Variety.
“I love both actors, love the movie, but with so many excellent books to adapt, why are we remaking everything???” another user wrote.
Some fans were still on the fence.
“I don’t think we neeeeed it but I’m withholding judgement bc I’ll take joy wherever I can get it these days,” one user commented.
“Hey I’m not old enough for this to be remade yet,” another user joked.
A Director Who Knows What’s at Stake
Haley made clear he isn’t taking the project lightly.
“13 Going on 30 is one of those rare, perfect films,” Haley said, per Deadline. “Funny, emotional, deeply human, with unforgettable performances.
“I’m a longtime fan, so stepping into this reimagining comes with tremendous responsibility,” he added.
Haley and Bader previously collaborated on Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation, an adaptation of Emily Henry’s bestselling novel. The two were eager to work together again and saw the reboot as the perfect opportunity.
“I also couldn’t be more excited to reunite with Emily Bader after People We Meet on Vacation,” Haley said, per Deadline.
“She and the amazingly talented Logan Lerman are a magical pairing. I feel incredibly lucky to be trusted with something that means so much to so many people.”
Who Are the New Leads?
Bader has been building a busy résumé. She was cast as soccer legend Mia Hamm in the upcoming Netflix sports drama The 99’ers, based on the book The Girls of Summer by Jeré Longman.
She previously starred in Prime Video’s My Lady Jane and the mob drama Fresh Kills.
Lerman brings a decades-long filmography to the project, including roles in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and We Were the Lucky Ones.
His most recent credits include the dark comedy Oh, Hi!, directed by Sophie Brooks, which Sony Pictures Classics acquired after its Sundance premiere. He also appeared in Season 5 of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building.
The Original That Started It All
13 Going on 30 was originally released by Columbia Pictures in April 2004 and was directed by Gary Winick.
Garner starred as Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old who magically wakes up as her 30-year-old self. Ruffalo played Matt, her geeky best friend and eventual love interest, and Greer played Lucy, Jenna’s lifelong frenemy.
“Jennifer Garner being on board as an executive producer, after playing such a big part of what made the original special, is especially meaningful,” Haley added, per Deadline.
The film grossed around $96 million worldwide at the box office and saw major success on home video, according to Deadline. It has remained a cultural touchstone for decades.
A stage musical adaptation, executive produced by Garner and directed by Andy Fickman, world premiered at the Manchester Opera House in September.
Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce the reboot for RK Films.
Additional executive producers include Donna Roth, Susan Arnold, Scott Hemming (Revolution Studios), Alyssa Altman (RK Films), and Hannah Marks.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
