Summary
- Dolly Parton is enthusiastic about the new
9 to 5,
hopes to see original stars involved, and especially to see her iconic song used. - Lily Tomlin has mixed feelings about the remake.
- Jane Fonda and Tomlin acknowledge the challenges of remaking the film due to changing workplace issues, and await Jennifer Aniston’s take.
News of Jennifer Aniston producing a reimagining of the iconic 9 to 5 has elicited a range of emotions from the original leading ladies, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Jane Fonda. While they all want to see Aniston succeed with her take on the film, Tomlin says she felt a bit “rejected;” on the other hand, Parton expressed enthusiasm about potentially being involved in the production.
Tomlin recently spoke to PEOPLE about her reaction to the news of the upcoming remake:
“I felt sort of the same way I felt about the musical. You know, part of you feels rejected. You think that character’s yours always. And you could re-embody it.”
In a separate interview with Variety alongside Fonda, Tomlin said the two hoped that Aniston had great success while acknowledging some of the challenges of remaking the film:
“It’s a hard nut to crack because the issues are somewhat different.”
When Fonda added that she hoped Aniston would make the film, Tomlin added:
“There’s still the undercurrent of the same kind of negativity towards females … [they’re] not easy-to-solve issues. So we’re very eager to see what they do.”
Parton, who starred in the original film as Doralee and earned two Grammy Awards for the film’s anthem, told E! News hosts Keltie Knight and Justin Sylvester she felt enthusiastic about the upcoming movie. She noted that Aniston had spoken about reimagining 9 to 5 while the two collaborated on Netflix’s 2018 Dumplin’ (Parton contributed music for the film).
There was some mention she might want to do 9 to 5, and I said, ‘Oh, that would be great.’
Now that the film is officially in the works, Parton says she’s hopeful the original stars can appear in some way:
“I’m hoping they use my song, and I’m hoping they might find a way to have Lily, Jane and me come back in.”
9 to 5’s Lasting Legacy
The 1980 workplace comedy, considered a feminist touchstone, brought workplace sexism and the gender pay gap to the forefront of the mainstream. While it left a significant mark on pop culture, it dealt with themes that remain relevant today. The film starred Parton, Fonda, and Tomlin as three fed-up working women who take revenge on their terrible and sexist boss, Franklin Hart (the late Dabney Coleman). Following the film’s commercial success, a series – led by Rita Moreno and Parton’s younger sister Rachel Dennison – aired for five seasons from 1982 to 1988. In 2009, a Broadway musical followed.
In 2019, Parton, Tomlin, and Fonda were in talks for a sequel to the beloved classic, but they weren’t satisfied with the script, so they “dropped” the idea.
Tomlin will next appear in Netflix’s Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, a feature-length documentary that explores the history of LGBTQ+ stand-up comedy, considering its importance as an instrument for social change over the past five decades. Parton will release Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables on November 16. A four-part docuseries will accompany the album.
Related
Hollywood Veteran Actor, 9 to 5, Tootsie & The Guardian Star Dabney Coleman Dies at 92
Dabney Coleman’s daughter confirmed the actor passed away on Thursday; she says that in death “his spirit will shine through his work.”
Aniston will produce the upcoming 9 to 5 reimagining with Kristin Hahn under their Echo Films banner. While a cast and director for the new project have not been announced, Diablo Cody is set to write the script. Cody earned an Oscar for 2007’s Juno and is known for her work on cult classic Jennifer’s Body and this year’s Lisa Frankenstein.
