Lisa Kudrow has revealed that she has read the script for the much-anticipated sequel to “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.” Speaking with ComicBook about her upcoming Apple TV+ series “Time Bandits,” Kudrow shared that the script brings the production one step closer to reality. This news comes nearly two years after the sequel was announced, following many years of rumors. The sequel, which remains untitled, will star Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, and Alan Cumming. Cumming recently expressed his excitement for a second installment, while Sorvino hinted in 2022 that a follow-up “might be in the works.” Screenwriter Robin Schiff, who wrote the original film, is attached to the project.
Kudrow, however, seems slightly less confident about the film’s production than her co-stars. “I actually have read a script, but we’ll see — nothing’s decided,” Kudrow said. “I hope so — I liked the script!” The original film, which centered on two underachieving 28-year-olds who pretended to have impressive careers to impress their former classmates at their 10-year high school reunion, has become a cult classic since its release in 1997.
The characters of Romy and Michele first appeared in the 1988 stage play “Ladies’ Room,” written by Schiff and starring Kudrow. Sorvino joined the cast as Romy White in the 1997 film, which was a moderate financial success but gained a significant following through home video. The obvious direction for the sequel would be another reunion, possibly meeting up with many of the same characters from the first movie to see how they’ve grown (or not) in the 25 years since their last appearance. However, taking Romy and Michele out of the high school reunion context could offer fresh comedic opportunities.
Mira Sorvino recently provided an update on the sequel, revealing that Robin Schiff is returning to write the follow-up movie. However, Schiff’s work on the Netflix series “Emily in Paris” has delayed the script’s completion. “She’s currently working on ‘Emily in Paris,’ so she’s finishing up her draft to present to the studio,” Sorvino told Us Weekly. “Lisa [Kudrow] and I are wrapping up our deals as executive producers on it with the studio. We’re full force ahead.”
Sorvino and Kudrow starred in the original 1997 comedy directed by David Mirkin, based on Schiff’s screenplay. The film revolves around the titular characters returning to high school to impress their former classmates by fabricating careers, claiming they invented Post-it notes. The cast also included Janeane Garofalo, Alan Cumming, Julia Campbell, Vincent Ventresca, Elaine Hendrix, Justin Theroux, and Camryn Manheim.
Sorvino emphasized that she wants the characters to remain as relatable, dumb, and lovable as they were in the original film. “I just still want [Romy and Michele] to be as relatable, but also as dumb and lovable as they ever were,” Sorvino said. “Like, I don’t think they’ve learned that much in the time in between, but they still have that unstoppable spirit and that friendship and that idiocy that makes everybody kind of love them. And so, that essential nature of them and the heart that’s at the center of that, that heart has to stay there.”
The original film was moderately successful at the box office but gained a cult following over the years. In 2005, a prequel titled “Romy and Michele: In the Beginning” was produced by ABC Family, starring Katherine Heigl as Romy and Alexandra Breckenridge as Michele. The television film was also written and directed by Schiff.
Sorvino confirmed that the highly-anticipated follow-up to “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion” is officially in the works, with both she and Kudrow set to executive produce the sequel. “She’s currently working on ‘Emily in Paris,’ so she’s finishing up her draft to present to the studio,” Sorvino said of Schiff’s sequel script. “Lisa [Kudrow] and I are wrapping up our deals as executive producers on it with the studio. We’re full force ahead.”
The original film centers on two best friends, played by Sorvino and Kudrow, who return to their hometown for their high school reunion. Their road trip is filled with reliving their teen years as they prepare to see their former classmates. Sorvino hopes the characters will remain as quirky in the new script. “I just still want them to be as relatable, but also as dumb and lovable as they ever were,” Sorvino said. “Like, I don’t think they’ve learned that much in the time in between, but they still have that unstoppable spirit and that friendship and that idiocy that makes everybody kind of love them.”
Sorvino also emphasized that the “crazy fashion” the original film is known for will continue, showcasing a “real commitment to just being their authentic selves, even though they wrestle with the world’s opinion of them, but ultimately come back to themselves.”
Alan Cumming, who played Sandy Frink in the original film, also expressed his thoughts on the sequel. “Yes, it seems like it’s finally… they’re doing deals and there’s no script yet,” he told Deadline. “There’s no script yet but it seems like it’s actually … an ongoing situation rather than not.” Cumming addressed the reason why there hadn’t been a sequel despite fan demand, attributing it to Hollywood’s misogyny. “My theory is that because they’re two women,” he said. “If they were two men this would’ve been our fifth sequel by now. I think the misogyny in Hollywood is huge.”
Cumming also shared his hopes for the sequel, including flashbacks and the possibility of the characters going back to high school. “I hope they’re still together,” he said of his character’s relationship with Michele. “I think that’s what’s great about when you come back to characters, there’s got to be some surprises and things like that.”
As fans eagerly await more news, the excitement for the return of Romy and Michele continues to build. With the original cast and screenwriter on board, the sequel promises to bring back the beloved characters and their unique brand of humor.
Source: ComicBook, Us Weekly, Deadline
