Lindsay Lohan and Elaine Hendrix, who famously faced off as rivals in Disney’s 1998 remake of The Parent Trap, experienced a highly anticipated reunion for a cameo in the upcoming Freakier Friday. This Lindsay Lohan and Elaine Hendrix Parent Trap reunion in Freakier Friday marks 27 years since their first collaboration, and Entertainment Weekly has shared exclusive insights into their time back on set.
Reflecting on Their Past and How the Reunion Came to Be
When Lohan and Hendrix originally worked together, Lohan was just 11 and played twins trying to foil their father‘s engagement to Hendrix’s character. The significant age difference meant their contact after filming was limited. Hendrix noted,
“Loosely, between, we reunited during the pandemic to do a Parent Trap reunion with Katie Couric, so I saw her then. But, that was online,”
—Elaine Hendrix, Actress. Their first substantial in-person interaction since then was sparked by an unexpected message from long-time collaborator and Freakier Friday director, Nisha Ganatra.
Hendrix recalled her enthusiasm about returning:
“I was like, girl, you know I’ll show up for you to do anything,”
—Elaine Hendrix, Actress. This spirit set the tone for their new collaboration.
Filming Together and Rekindling Friendship On Set
On set, Hendrix portrays Blake Kale, a stylist working with a pop star mentored by Lohan’s Anna Coleman, who now works at a record label. Their latest roles gave them a chance to rediscover their friendship in a way that wasn’t possible during their first project. Speaking of their time filming together, Hendrix offered,
“I got to physically see her, and we spent a lot of time together on set, hanging out, reminiscing, and catching up. Now, we’re better about staying in touch with one another,”
—Elaine Hendrix, Actress.
Their renewed connection has deepened, with Hendrix acknowledging that despite living far apart and leading full lives, they are now more consistent about maintaining contact.
“She lives on the other side of the world and has a family and is busy. We both have full lives, but particularly through social media and texting, we’re staying in touch, which is quite lovely. I’m so happy for her and where she is in her life. It’s nice, in these new chapters of our lives, to be in contact,”
—Elaine Hendrix, Actress.
Hendrix added another layer of admiration for Lohan, recognizing her journey in the public eye:
“There’s a lot of people who live a lot of lives. Life lifes, you know what I mean? There are few people who live their life in such a public way that she was thrusted into. We go to see things we just don’t normally see about people. To see her now after so much that she’s gone through. She’s just in a really great place. She looks great, she’s so happy, and I’m happy and thrilled for her,”
—Elaine Hendrix, Actress.
Bringing the Freaky Friday Universe Together Again
This reunion isn’t the only notable one for Freakier Friday. The film also reunites Lindsay Lohan with Jamie Lee Curtis, her on-screen mother from the 2003 version of Freaky Friday. The sequel showcases the characters of Anna and Tess Coleman, now at different points in their lives, experiencing another round of magical body-swapping, this time involving Anna’s daughter Harper (played by Julia Butters) and soon-to-be stepdaughter Lily (Sophia Hammons).
The creative team also attempted to secure a cameo from Jodie Foster, star of the original 1976 Freaky Friday, but she ultimately declined. Nevertheless, director Nisha Ganatra brought together an impressive cast for this follow-up, including Manny Jacinto, Vanessa Bayer, Mark Harmon, Rosalind Chao, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Chad Michael Murray, alongside Lohan and Curtis.
Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan’s Enduring Collaboration
Jamie Lee Curtis played a critical role in initiating the sequel. Lohan reflected on how Curtis’s determination paved the way:
“When Jamie called me in Ireland, I was like, ‘Yes, I’m in, let’s do it.’ It’s not very often that you get to work with someone who’s been such a big part of your life on a personal level,”
—Lindsay Lohan, Actress. Curtis’s efforts even entailed reaching out to Disney chief Bob Iger to help jumpstart the project.
Lohan expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to reunite with Curtis:
“That was exciting for me, to come back and do a big-screen film with a woman that I admire, that’s part of my life off-screen. To have that chance again, it doesn’t happen much. I felt lucky to be able to do it,”
—Lindsay Lohan, Actress. Their collaboration brings new energy and meaning to the franchise, as both actresses bring their characters to life in new and relatable ways.
The Impact of a Beloved Reunion—What’s Next for the Franchise
The Lindsay Lohan and Elaine Hendrix Parent Trap reunion in Freakier Friday promises an emotional experience for longtime fans, building on decades of Disney nostalgia and giving new viewers a fresh perspective on beloved characters. Hendrix and Lohan’s renewed friendship on-screen adds authenticity to their performances, while the body-swapping magic and returning favorites like Jamie Lee Curtis promise both heart and humor.
With its theatrical release set for August 8, Freakier Friday is set to delight audiences, shining a spotlight not only on the continuing adventures of Anna and Tess Coleman but also celebrating connections old and new between its stars, including this touching Parent Trap reunion. As the cast reflects on personal growth and rediscovered bonds, fans can look forward to a film that honors the past while embracing the possibilities of the future.
