Mark Waters Excluded From Freakier Friday Sequel

An interview explains why the original Freaky Friday director was not asked to work on the sequel and what that says about how studios handle legacy projects.

Mark Waters Excluded From Freakier Friday Sequel

Mark Waters directed the 2003 film Freaky Friday, a hit that helped launch Lindsay Lohan’s teen star rise and opened doors for Waters with later projects. The sequel Freakier Friday brings back Jamie Lee Curtis and Lohan but Waters was not invited to direct or participate. He says he was busy in post on his new film Hershey and was unable to attend or join the project. He also notes he would have liked to be involved but did not receive an invitation.

Waters explains that the move reflects how studios manage legacy franchises, balancing memory with room for new voices. The interview shows how his early success helped launch a larger career, including Mean Girls, while illustrating how the industry treats past collaborators. He addresses criticism of the original film’s representation, saying the tone was exaggerated and not meant to harm, though some reviewers and viewers saw it differently. The piece closes with Waters staying open to future collaboration while focusing on new work.

The omission of Waters highlights how film legacies are curated by executives and stars, with sequels often led by new creative teams to refresh a brand. Disney anchors the franchise with familiar faces while signaling a shift in leadership behind the camera. The interview also reveals how personal career trajectories intersect with franchise history, showing how a single film can propel or redirect a filmmaker’s path. Representational debates surrounding the original film remind readers that memory in culture comes with ongoing scrutiny. Producers now face the challenge of honoring the past without repeating past missteps, a balance that can shape budgeting, casting, and risk for future installments.

Highlights

Legacy films echo as studios weigh memory against fresh storytelling.