Moviefone Editorial

Tag: dolly parton

  • Tom Cruise and More to Receive Honorary Oscars

    95th Oscars® nominee Tom Cruise arrives at the Oscar Nominee Luncheon held in the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton on Monday, February 13, 2023. The 95th Oscars will air on Sunday, March 12, 2023 live on ABC. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    95th Oscars® nominee Tom Cruise arrives at the Oscar Nominee Luncheon held in the International Ballroom at the Beverly Hilton on Monday, February 13, 2023. The 95th Oscars will air on Sunday, March 12, 2023 live on ABC. Credit/Provider: Michael Yada / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Preview:

    • Tom Cruise is among those to receive an Honorary Oscar this year.
    • Dolly Parton will be given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
    • The recipients will be honored at the 16th Annual Governor’s Awards.

    While you can imagine that Tom Cruise might have won an Oscar for Services to Hanging Off of Planes and Other Things, the star of ‘Mission: Impossible –– The Final Reckoning’ (and, you know a fairly extensive career before that) has been nominated four times, but has never actually won.

    5AaefAclQbFxKKldaHR185

    He was nominated for acting in ‘Born on the Fourth of July’, ‘Jerry Maguire’, ‘Magnolia,’ and as producer on ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.

    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is now filling that gap on his Hollywood resume, awarding him an honorary Academy Award. And he’s not alone; Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas are also getting Honorary Oscars, while Dolly Parton will be given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

    Here’s Academy president Janet Yang’s statement on the new honorees:

    “This year’s Governors Awards will celebrate four legendary individuals whose extraordinary careers and commitment to our filmmaking community continue to leave a lasting impact. The Academy’s board of governors is honored to recognize these brilliant artists. Debbie Allen is a trailblazing choreographer and actor, whose work has captivated generations and crossed genres. Tom Cruise’s incredible commitment to our filmmaking community, to the theatrical experience, and to the stunts community has inspired us all. Beloved performer Dolly Parton exemplifies the spirit of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award through her unwavering dedication to charitable efforts. And production designer Wynn Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft.”

    Related Article: 35 Best Tom Cruise Movies of All Time

    Who are the other honorary award recipients?

    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that its Board of Governors voted to present Academy Honorary Awards to Debbie Allen, Tom Cruise and Wynn Thomas, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Dolly Parton. Photo: ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that its Board of Governors voted to present Academy Honorary Awards to Debbie Allen, Tom Cruise and Wynn Thomas, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Dolly Parton. Photo: ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Dolly Parton surely needs little introduction –– she’s been a music legend for years, has appeared in the likes of movies such as ‘Nine to Five’ (and contributed the iconic song for it), but has also become known for her incredible philanthropic efforts, as well as being a producer on a raft of projects (including the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ movie). She’s also a huge proponent of childhood literacy and education.

    Debbie Allen, 75, is a trailblazing artist, but also a champion of arts education — on screen (her most famous role is dance teacher Lydia Grant in 1980 movie ‘Fame’ and its television adaptation that ran from 1982 through 1987, which she also choreographed) –– and off through her Debbie Allen Dance Academy in LA and other activities. She also acted in 1981’s ‘Ragtime’, produced 1997’s ‘Amistad’ with Steven Spielberg; and choreographed 2024’s ‘The Six Triple Eight.’

    Wynn Thomas, who got his start in the New York theater, is a revered production designer who is best known for his extensive collaboration with Spike Lee, which encompasses 11 films over 35 years, spanning Lee’s movie directorial debut, 1986’s ‘She’s Gotta Have It’, through 2020’s ‘Da 5 Bloods’. He’s also worked with a host of other big-name directors.

    When will the Academy hand out these awards?

    Cruise and co. will be picking up their awards at the 16th annual Governors Awards, which will be a black-tie ceremony at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 16th.

    Will TC be leaping in from a helicopter flying above the theater? Let’s find out!

    Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 'Top Gun: Maverick' from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
    Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.

    Tom Cruise Movies:

    Buy Tom Cruise Movies on Amazon

    4bEnj2Qn

  • Ryan Kiera Armstrong Joins New ‘Buffy’ Series

    Ryan Kiera Armstrong stars in ' Star Wars: Skeleton Crew'.
    Ryan Kiera Armstrong stars in ‘ Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’.

    Preview:

    • ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’s Ryan Kiera Armstrong is aboard the new ‘Buffy’ series.
    • Sarah Michelle Gellar is back as the vampire slayer.
    • Chloé Zhao will direct the pilot and produce.

    It might not feature white smoke coming out of a chimney as with the recent Pope’s election, but we have a chosen one within the expanding world of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’

    cK1pjYj5iTkKkB8o4RooG4

    Deadline reports that Ryan Kiera Armstrong, most recently seen as one of the young leads in ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’ is set to add another pop cultural behemoth to her credits, as she’s scored a lead role alongside returning star Sarah Michelle Gellar in the yet to be titled reboot of ‘Buffy.’

    To be clear, this will be more a next step than a total reinvention of the vampire slayer concept, which has so far proved reliable on screens big and small and in comic book form.

    The new series comes via Hulu, which has a pilot order in place with Gellar as co-star and executive producer.

    ‘Poker Face’ showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman are developing what is being described as “the next chapter in the Buffyverse.” Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, whose movies include ‘Nomadland’ and Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ is set to direct the pilot and serve as a producer.

    Gellar’s Buffy Summers will be a mentor to the new Chosen One played by Armstrong, who like her predecessor will be charged with battling all manner of vampires and other demonic creatures (and endowed with strength and resilience to do so) while also navigating more mundane teenage life issues.

    In keeping with the current trend for announcing casting decisions, Gellar took to Instagram to document her telling Armstrong the news that she’s gotten the role:

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar)

     

    Gellar had this to say about the choice:

    “From the moment I saw Ryan’s audition, I knew there was only one girl that I wanted by my side. To have that kind of emotional intelligence, and talent, at such a young age is truly a gift. The bonus is that her smile lights up even the darkest room.”

    Lilla and Nora Zuckerman used some Buffy terminology to praise their new lead:

    “We are so overjoyed to have found this generation’s slayer in Ryan Kiera Armstrong, she absolutely blew us away –– there is no question in our mind that she is the chosen one.”

    Related Article: Sarah Michelle Gellar Aboard ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Sequel Pilot

    What was the story of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’?

    (L to R) David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    (L to R) David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    ‘Buffy’ is a concept that has already shown an ability to evolve.
    It originated as a film starring Kristy Swanson in the title role. Joss Whedon wrote the film with Fran Kuzui directing and was released in 1992.

    Five years later, the series version, created by Whedon and now starring Gellar, debuted on The WB.

    It aired on The WB for its first five seasons before airing its final two seasons on UPN.

    The cast also included Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, and James Marsters among others. Boreanaz would then head up the spinoff series ‘Angel’ at The WB for five seasons.

    The original series’ executive producers included Gail Berman of the Jackal Group and Fran Kuzui & Kaz Kuzui via Suite B, who will all get a credit on the new pilot.

    The cast of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    The cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    And fun fact: also executive producing the pilot is Dolly Parton, whose company Sandollar was producer on the original.

    Whedon, who oversaw the show’s seven-season run, will not return to work on any new version. In 2021, the writer/producer, who also crafted the first two ‘Avengers’ movies and TV series ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ for Marvel, was accused of creating a toxic work environment on both ‘Buffy’ and ‘Angel’ by nearly a dozen people associated with the show, particularly Carpenter.

    Fellow cast members such as Amber Benson and Michelle Trachtenberg backed up her allegations.

    Berman, and the Kuzuis previously teamed up with 20th TV in 2018 for a potential ‘Buffy’ reboot written by ‘Midnight, Texas’ creator Monica Owusu-Breen, on which Whedon was an executive producer. That project, whose lead was envisioned as a Black woman, didn’t move forward.

    The biggest dangling question any sequel series would need to answer is the clever notion introduced by the series’ final season, in that Buffy’s death (she got better) in a previous season triggered a raft of new potential Slayers.

    And now we have an answer to whether we’ll see one in the new show: a big yes, since Armstrong will take on that role.

    What has Sarah Michelle Gellar previously said about returning for a new ‘Buffy’ series?

    Sarah Michelle Gellar in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    Gellar has been in two minds about the idea of reprising Buffy Summers.

    In 2023, she poured cold water on taking on a new ‘Buffy’ series, telling UK magazine SFX:

    “I am very proud of the show that we created and it doesn’t need to be done. We wrapped that up. I am all for them continuing the story because there’s the story of female empowerment. I love the way the show was left: ‘Every girl who has the power can have the power.’ It’s set up perfectly for someone else to have the power. But like I said, the metaphors of ‘Buffy’ were the horrors of adolescence. I think I look young, but I am not an adolescent.”

    Yet last year, she appeared on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ where she was open to it:

    “I always used to say no because it’s in its bubble and it’s so perfect. But watching ‘And Just Like That…’ (the ‘Sex and the City’ sequel series) and seeing ‘Dexter: Original Sin,’ and realizing there are ways to do it, definitely does get your mind thinking, ‘Well, maybe.’”

    Less maybe, these days, more fully aboard.

    When will the new ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ series hit screens?

    Hulu has yet to say when this might premiere and, indeed, with that pilot order, it’s still more of a case of if the show passes muster.

    Still, given that attractive, grabby recognizable title and the original star attached, we’d guess this one has a good chance.

    The cast of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    The cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Movies and TV On Amazon

    csEQclV4

  • ‘Buffy’ Sequel Series Pilot Ordered at Hulu

    Sarah Michelle Gellar in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    Preview:

    • Sarah Michelle Gellar is attached to a ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ sequel pilot.
    • Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman are aboard to write, showrun, and executive produce.
    • Chloé Zhao will direct the pilot and produce.

    As the opening narration of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ used to intone, “In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the vampires, the demons, and the forces of darkness. She is the Slayer.”

    If Hulu’s plans work out, we might just get to meet this generation’s Slayer –– with a little help from the previous one.

    Yes, in a world where every old show and movie is now potential fodder for a sequel, reboot or remake, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ is one that has been talked about a few times before.

    cK1pjYj5iTkKkB8o4RooG4

    Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, it might actually come to fruition, as word arrives that streaming service Hulu is exploring the concept of a ‘Buffy’ streaming series.

    With Disney’s 20th Television backing the idea, ‘Poker Face’ showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman are developing what is being described as “the next chapter in the Buffyverse.”

    Chloé Zhao poses backstage with the Oscars® for Directing and Best Picture the during the live ABC Telecast of The 93rd Oscars® at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Chloé Zhao poses backstage with the Oscars® for Directing and Best Picture the during the live ABC Telecast of The 93rd Oscars® at Union Station in Los Angeles, CA on Sunday, April 25, 2021. Credit/Provider: Matt Petit / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, whose movies include ‘Nomadland’ and Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ is set to direct the pilot and serve as a producer.

    But perhaps more exciting for ‘Buffy’ fans is news that the original Buffy Summers herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar, is attached to recur on the show, albeit more as a mentor figure to the new focus, a fresh-faced Slayer who will be tasked with tackling vampires and other supernatural creatures.

    Related Article: What Gets Hinted At In ‘Eternals,’ And How Will The MCU Be Affected?

    What was the story of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’?

    The cast of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    The cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    ‘Buffy’ is a concept that has already shown an ability to evolve.
    It originated as a film starring Kristy Swanson in the title role. Joss Whedon wrote the film with Fran Kuzui directing and was released in 1992.

    Five years later, the series version, created by Whedon and now starring Gellar, debuted on The WB.

    It aired on The WB for its first five seasons before airing its final two seasons on UPN.

    The cast also included Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, and James Marsters among others. Boreanaz would then head up the spinoff series ‘Angel’ at The WB for five seasons.

    The original series’ executive producers included Gail Berman of the Jackal Group and Fran Kuzui & Kaz Kuzui via Suite B, who will all get a credit on the new pilot.

    The cast of 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    The cast of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    And fun fact: also executive producing the pilot is Dolly Parton, whose company Sandollar was producer on the original.

    Whedon, who oversaw the show’s seven-season run, will not return to work on any new version. In 2021, the writer/producer, who also crafted the first two ‘Avengers’ movies and TV series ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ for Marvel, was accused of creating a toxic work environment on both ‘Buffy’ and ‘Angel’ by nearly a dozen people associated with the show, particularly Carpenter.

    Fellow cast members such as Amber Benson and Michelle Trachtenberg backed up her allegations.

    Berman, and the Kuzuis previously teamed up with 20th TV in 2018 for a potential ‘Buffy’ reboot written by ‘Midnight, Texas’ creator Monica Owusu-Breen, on which Whedon was an executive producer. That project, whose lead was envisioned as a Black woman, didn’t move forward.

    The biggest dangling question any sequel series would need to answer is the clever notion introduced by the series’ final season, in that Buffy’s death (she got better) in a previous season triggered a raft of new potential Slayers. Is there just going to be one in the new series? We’ll have to wait and see.

    What has Sarah Michelle Gellar previously said about returning for a new ‘Buffy’ series?

    Sarah Michelle Gellar in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    Gellar has been in two minds about the idea of reprising Buffy Summers.

    In 2023, she poured cold water on taking on a new ‘Buffy’ series, telling UK magazine SFX:

    “I am very proud of the show that we created and it doesn’t need to be done. We wrapped that up. I am all for them continuing the story because there’s the story of female empowerment. I love the way the show was left: ‘Every girl who has the power can have the power.’ It’s set up perfectly for someone else to have the power. But like I said, the metaphors of ‘Buffy’ were the horrors of adolescence. I think I look young, but I am not an adolescent.”

    Yet last year, she appeared on ‘The Drew Barrymore Show’ where she was open to it:

    “I always used to say no because it’s in its bubble and it’s so perfect. But watching ‘And Just Like That…’ (the ‘Sex and the City’ sequel series) and seeing ‘Dexter: Original Sin,’ and realizing there are ways to do it, definitely does get your mind thinking, ‘Well, maybe.’”

    It seems the new concept has shifted her from “maybe” to all in…

    When will the new ‘Buffy’ series be on screens?

    Hulu has yet to make any official announcement –– and indeed, hasn’t confirmed any of the details, so we’ll have to wait and see whether this even makes it into production, let alone learn a launch date for the eventual show on the streaming service.

    (L to R) David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.
    (L to R) David Boreanaz and Sarah Michelle Gellar in ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’. Photo: 20th Century Fox Television.

    List of Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Movies On Amazon

    Pmtrs49y

  • Jennifer Aniston to Produce the Remake of ‘9 to 5’

    (Left) Jennifer Aniston in 'The Morning Show,' premiering September 13, 2023 on Apple TV+. (Right) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in 'Nine to Five.' Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (Left) Jennifer Aniston in ‘The Morning Show,’ premiering September 13, 2023 on Apple TV+. (Right) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in ‘Nine to Five.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Preview:

    • Jennifer Aniston will produce the remake of ‘9 to 5’.
    • The original starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton.
    • Diablo Cody is writing the script for the new version.

    Jennifer Aniston has been working more on the small screen than the big one of late, between her Netflix output and her Apple TV+ series ‘The Morning Show’.

    But she’s stayed active behind the scenes on movies via her Echo Films company, and has now found something that could be big, if it works to the level of its inspiration.

    According to reporter Jeff Sneider, Aniston will produce the re-imagining of classic workplace feminism comedy ‘9 to 5’.

    11610

    What’s the story of ‘9 to 5’?

    Lily Tomlin Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton in 'Nine to Five.'
    (L to R) Lily Tomlin Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton in ‘Nine to Five.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    The 1980 original, directed by Colin Higgins from a script he wrote with Patricia Resnick, starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton three female office employees who turn the tables on their sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot boss played by Dabney Coleman.

    It was a massive hit in its day, earning more than $103 million at the box office. Parton contributed the iconic theme song, which was nominated for an Original Song Oscar, went platinum and was also nominated for four Grammy Award nominations, winning Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance.

    In terms of spin-offs, it inspired a sitcom (starring Rita Moreno), ‘Nine to Five’ that ran for five seasons in the 1980s, while a 2008 Broadway musical (with music and lyrics by Parton), earned four Tony nominations.

    More recently, a documentary released in 2022, ‘Still Working 9 to 5’ looked at the movie’s continuing cultural impact.

    Related Article: Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston Talk Netflix Sequel ‘Murder Mystery 2’

    ‘9 to 5’: What has happened with the remake so far?

    Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in 'Nine to Five.'
    (L to R) Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda in ‘Nine to Five.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Even before the latest remake chatter gathered pace, there was talk of a sequel with original co-writer Patricia scripting and Rashida Jones starring.

    Yet talk of a remake has also circulated for years, with Lily Tomlin as one of driving forces.

    Here’s what she told Indiewire about it:

    “I have a big hope! More than Jane. Jane’s gone on to climate change, and she’s very involved in it and rightly so. I would like any material that’s just really rich and true and not dishonest and somehow its intention is communicating something better to humanity. I’m interested in any human issue, any human condition, anything about humanity that’s positive or says something meaningful about how we’re living or what we’re doing to each other, any number of things like that. But we like to get the comedy in there.”

    Right now, ‘Juno’, ‘Jennifer’s Body’ and ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ writer Diablo Cody is involved in the script.

    So, why is Jennifer Aniston looking to produce the remake?

    Jennifer Aniston in 'Rumor Has It.'
    Jennifer Aniston in ‘Rumor Has It.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    While it certainly sounds like something Aniston would be interested in regardless –– her company has, after all, been involved in projects such as ‘The Morning Show’, which also tackled attitudes towards women in the workplace.

    A closer connection might be Netflix movie ‘Dumplin’, which also saw her starring and producing, and had a soundtrack featuring songs by Parton.

    When will the new take on ‘9 to 5’ arrive in theaters?

    With the movie still at such an early stage, there is no information about a release date yet, and 20th Century Studios has yet to announce anything.

    Jennifer Aniston in 'Rumor Has It.'
    Jennifer Aniston in ‘Rumor Has It.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Other Jennifer Aniston Movies:

    Buy Jennifer Aniston Movies On Amazon

    NSPLBnMm
  • Dolly Parton Reveals New Details About ‘9 to 5’ Sequel

    Dolly Parton Reveals New Details About ‘9 to 5’ Sequel

    9 to 5, Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda
    20th Century Fox

    Four decades may have passed since “9 to 5” first inspired women in the workplace, but as they say, things change and other things remain the same.

    In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, star Dolly Parton said one thing that will change about the planned sequel is the addition of voices from the younger generation.

    “Pat Resnick, who wrote the original, she’s writing with Rashida Jones, so we’re hopefully gonna get to see that soon,” the iconic singer teased.

    By “we,” Parton also includes her co-stars Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, who are both set to return. They’ll join as-yet-uncast younger actresses.

    “This gives us a chance to have three new young [women], whoever they may be, working at Consolidated, the company that we were with, and then they find these three older women — Lily, Jane, and myself — working out in the workplace, and so they wanna find out what we did,” Parton explained.

    “They’re gonna pick our brains for information, so that’s gonna actually lend itself to some really funny stuff, some cute stuff.”

    She added with a laugh, “And then there’s having six great women, instead of just the three.”

    What remains the same, though, are the sexism and harassment issues that the original movie addressed and still face women in today’s workplace.

    “Because of the #MeToo movement and women trying harder to stand up for who they are and their rights, it seemed to be the perfect time to do it,” she said. “You know how some things just happen at the right time?”

  • Jane Fonda Confirms ‘9 to 5’ Sequel to Star Original Cast, Address #MeToo

    Jane Fonda Confirms ‘9 to 5’ Sequel to Star Original Cast, Address #MeToo

    9 to 5
    20th Century Fox

    Jane Fonda is set for a sequel to “9 to 5,” the hit 1980 comedy — but only if it addresses the #MeToo movement.

    As Fonda explained to reporters while promoting an upcoming HBO documentary about her life, she is actively collaborating with writers Rashida Jones and Pat Rosnick on the potential sequel which would also feature original cast members Dolly Parton and Lily Tomlin.

    “Right now, Dolly, Lily and I are all intending to be in it,” she confirmed.

    When news of the sequel first hit earlier this year, it seemed a given that it would incorporate the #MeToo movement, since the first movie blazed the trail by telling the story of harassment and misogyny in the workplace.

    And if the sequel doesn’t, Fonda added, “I’m not going to be in it.”

    Fonda revealed a bit of the sequel’s potential plot, noting that the workplace is, in many ways, “worse today.”

    “Back in the day the company was called Consolidated, which it still is in the new one. You were hired by the company and complained to the company,” she noted. “Today, a lot of the work force is hired by an outside company. Who do you talk to if you have a problem?”

    She added, “With social media everything is spied upon … So it’s much worse.”

    Still, the #MeToo movement has had an effect on the workplace. “I do think sexual harassment will tend to drop,” Fonda said with a smile. “Guys are scared.”