Disney Channel announced Heidi Blickenstaff (The Little Mermaid and the stage production of Freaky Friday) and Cozi Zuehlsdorff (Liv and Maddie) have signed up to star in a new Freaky Friday film. The musical comedy is an update of the still-popular 1976 film which starred Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster. Gaby Hoffman and Shelley Long starred in a 1995 version of Freaky Friday, based on Mary Rodgers’ bestselling novel. And in 2003, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan headlined another adaptation for Walt Disney Pictures.
Filming’s expected to start later this year, with the Disney Channel targeting a 2018 premiere as part of their Original Movie franchise.
Daddy Daycare‘s Steve Carr is on board to direct and will executive produce with Susan Cartsonis and Thomas Schumacher. Bridget Carpenter wrote the book for the stage musical and will write the teleplay. Tony Award-winning composers Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey wrote the stage version’s music and lyrics and are attached to the Disney Channel remake. Descendants‘ David Lawrence is composing the score. John Carrafa is the choreographer, Perry Andelin Blake is the production designer, and Angus Strathie is the costume designer.
“A classic story like Freaky Friday has a magical capacity to engage multiple generations – whether it’s in the form of a book, a theatrical film, a stage show – or all of the above!” stated Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. “Working with our partners at Disney Live Theatrical, we’re thrilled to bring this classic story to life in a whole new form – a music-driven movie for television – that will be enjoyed by tens of millions of kids and families around the world.”
The Plot and Characters: Blickenstaff reprises her role of Katherine from the stage show, and Zuehlsdorff will play Ellie in the comedic story that follows an overworked mother and her teenage daughter who magically swap bodies and begin a musical journey of self-discovery and empathy neither one could have ever imagined.
Also joining the cast is newcomer Ricky He as Ellie’s friend, Adam, and Alex Désert (Let it Shine) as Katherine’s fiancé, Mike. Disney Channel star Jason Maybaum (Raven’s Home) will play Ellie’s little brother, Fletcher. Kahyun Kim (Austin & Ally) has been cast as Torrey, Katherine’s high-strung business associate. Additional cast members include Dara R. Moss as Savannah, Jennifer LaPorte as Monica, Isaiah Lehtinen as Karl and Sarah Willey as Kitty.
