It's becoming increasingly apparent in the modern era that it's never too late for a movie to get a direct sequel. We've seen this happen with Indian Jones: Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Tron: Legacy and Blade Runner 2049 (to name a few), and the latest title being thrown into this group is 9 to 5. The comedy starring Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton came out in 1980, i.e. nearly 40 years ago. But all three actresses are still around, and after years of talk about reuniting for a sequel, Jane Fonda has confirmed that such a project is now in the works. Speaking about the 9 to 5 sequel, Fonda said the following:
My role is as an executive producer, and I'm working with the writers, with Lily, and talking to the writers. Right now, Dolly, Lily and I are all intending to be in it.
It was reported earlier this year that a 9 to 5 sequel was entering development, with Rashida Jones and Pat Rosnick, and Jane Fonda confirmed this yesterday at an event promoting her upcoming HBO documentary (via THR). For those unfamiliar, 9 to 5 was a workplace comedy that followed Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton's characters trying to overthrow their sexist, hypocritical and egotistical boss, played by Dabney Coleman. Nearly four decades later, this subject matter is still relevant, particularly in the wake of the #MeToo movement, but Fonda implied that this sequel would take a different path. Instead, the actress suggested that "technology and corporate voyeurism" could be the foil in the 9 to 5 sequel, which will be set at the same office of Consolidated Companies.
Directed by Harold and Maude's Colin Higgins, 9 to 5 was well received upon release and made over $103 million worldwide off a $10 million budget. A TV series adaptation followed that originally aired on ABC from 1982 to 1983, and then returned for first-run syndication from 1986 to 1988. Two decades later, the movie was adapted into a Broadway musical that earned a Drama Desk Award and was nominated for four Tony Awards. Although this 9 to 5 sequel will mark the first time that Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton have all re-teamed together since the original movie, Fonda and Tomlin have been spending a lot of time together lately starring in the Netflix comedy series Grace and Frankie.
In this age where reboots and remakes are more plentiful than ever, it's nice to see that rather than make a brand-new version, the original trio is instead being brought back together, 9 to 5 is one of the more popular comedies of the 1980s, and if Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton are game for a reunion, this is the best way to evoke the spirit of that original movie as closely as possible while still exploring modern day life and how the office setting has changed since the early '80s.
Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for any major updates concerning the 9 to 5 sequel, but in the meantime, be sure to look through our 2018 release schedule to find out what movies are arriving in theaters later this year.
