Chad Michael Murray revisits Freaky Friday memories

Chad Michael Murray revisits his Freaky Friday role, the audition moments, and a surprise kiss, as talk of a sequel lingers.

Chad Michael Murray looks back at Freaky Friday memories

Role Call is Vulture’s look at performances that linger in memory. In this interview, Chad Michael Murray recalls his audition with Lindsay Lohan, the moment when the pair swapped bodies, and the long hair that defined Jake. He explains that Annette Bening and Kelly Osbourne were originally attached, but the cast changed before filming began and Jamie Lee Curtis helped Lindsay feel at ease for the kiss. Murray also shares small on set details, like the Ducati scene and the Britney Spears moment that became a fan favorite. He maintains he didn’t realize Freaky Friday would become a hit until after the fact, and he still avoids reading reviews. The sequel of Freaky Friday was announced but is currently on hold after industry strikes, leaving fans with questions about how Jake could reappear.

Two decades later, Murray’s memories show how a teen film can become a lasting touchstone for a generation. The interview underscores how nostalgia can shape a franchise’s future and how a single role can continue to define an actor’s career long after the cameras stop rolling.

The piece captures a moment when early 2000s teen cinema still felt like a cultural rite of passage. Murray’s reflections highlight the blend of luck and craft that props a breakout moment: a character who feels both cool and genuine, and a moment with the kiss that becomes lore for fans. The discussion of a possible sequel reveals a broader industry pattern where nostalgia collides with real-world constraints, like strikes that pause planning and budgeting for new chapters. The interview also shows how actors carry memories of set dynamics into later work, shaping how audiences remember the film and its cast.

Highlights

Nostalgia today is a factor in how studios plan future chapters, not just a badge of memory.