Jamie Lee Curtis, who has taken on the beloved role of Tess Coleman once again in Freakier Friday, recently shared her insights into why this new sequel posed “more challenging” obstacles compared to the original film. The original Freaky Friday, featuring Lindsay Lohan as Anna Coleman, premiered in 2003 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. This film is one of several adaptations based on Mary Rodgers’ iconic 1972 novel of the same name, which centers around the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship.
Discover Jamie Lee Curtis’ Insights on the Greater Challenges of Freakier Friday Compared to the Original
During a recent interview with ComicBook, Curtis elaborated on the various challenges she faced while portraying Tess in the sequel. She expressed that capturing the essence of her character felt more complicated this time around due to the increased emotional distance between the characters. This nuanced portrayal required a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics of their relationship.
“Teenagers are really tricky,” the Oscar-winning actress remarked. “In the original Freaky Friday, the differences between an adult and a teenager were very distinct — adults present themselves upright, while teenagers often slouch. It was a black-and-white comparison, clear and straightforward. In this sequel, however, the shift is much more subtle and requires us to explore it through dialogue, body language, and unique mannerisms. This makes it significantly more challenging, as it’s less about instinctively knowing if you are portraying it accurately,” she elaborated.
The premise of Freaky Friday revolves around Tess and Anna, a mother and daughter who magically swap bodies, allowing them to experience life from each other’s perspective. The sequel introduces a more intricate dynamic; promotional materials indicate that Anna will switch bodies with her own daughter, portrayed by Julia Butters as Harper Coleman. Meanwhile, Tess finds herself in the body of Anna’s soon-to-be stepdaughter, Sophia Hammons as Lily Davies, which adds layers of complexity to the narrative.
In preparation for her role as Lily while in Tess’s body, Curtis revealed that she drew inspiration from her character, Donna Berzatto, in The Bear Season 2. “With Donna, I felt confident that I was embodying her correctly because I have a deep understanding of her character. In contrast, I have no frame of reference for Lily, making it much harder for me to ensure that I was accurately depicting her personality,” she explained, highlighting the challenges of character interpretation.
The ensemble cast of Freakier Friday also features Chad Michael Murray as Jake, Mark Harmon as Ryan, and Manny Jacinto as Eric Davies, promising a stellar performance from all involved. Movie enthusiasts can catch the premiere of this exciting sequel in U.S. theaters this Friday.
