Lindsay Lohan made a striking appearance in London on July 31, channeling the iconic look of her character Anna Coleman from the 2003 film Freaky Friday. At the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square premiere of the new installment, Lohan’s outfit served as a deliberate homage to the edgy style she sported nearly two decades ago, reinforcing the enduring impact of the Lindsay Lohan Freaky Friday Look.
Details of Lindsay’s Lavender Ensemble and Nostalgic Accessories
For the premiere, Lindsay Lohan wore a custom-made lavender halter dress by Ludovic de Saint Sernin, featuring a bustier silhouette and intricate gold accents that highlighted the bust and torso. She added a touch of rockstar flair with a unique red guitar-shaped handbag by Judith Leiber, completing the carefully curated outfit that echoed Anna’s appearance in the original film’s climactic scene.
This memorable look directly referenced the moment when Anna Coleman, played by Lohan, performs on stage with her band Pink Slip at her mother Tess Coleman’s wedding. In the 2003 film, the teenage Lohan dazzled in a similar lavender halter dress with lace details as she played her ruby red guitar, a moment fans fondly remember.
Cast Reunites and Celebrates the Film’s Legacy
Alongside Lindsay at the premiere were her co-stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Chad Michael Murray, Julia Butters, and Sophia Hammon. Following the event, Lindsay shared a series of photos highlighting her tribute dress, captioning them with a nod to the film’s classic song: “London, You’re the Ultimate!”
Throughout the promotional tour for Freakier Friday, the 39-year-old star has embraced early 2000s fashion influences, wearing pieces such as a Roberto Cavalli mini dress and a plaid Balmain ensemble, reflecting her nostalgic approach to the film’s revival. Her style continues to resonate, even impressing her fellow cast members.
She just had a moment because she just met Lindsay,
Chad Michael Murray reflected at the July 22 red carpet event, mimicking his daughter’s starstruck reaction.
She’s not like that at all.
I have a feeling she’ll be on one of these carpets pretty soon,
Murray added.
It’s just where she’s destined to be, but she had that moment. It’s weird, the people you watch in movies, to see them in real life.
Freaky Friday’s Film Origins and Casting Challenges
The 2003 version of Freaky Friday is based on Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel and represents the second remake of the story, following the original 1976 film and a 1995 made-for-TV version. Producer Andrew Gunn initially approached Jodie Foster, who starred in the 1976 adaptation, to take on the mother role but she declined, concerned it might distract from the story.
Annette Bening was originally cast as Tess Coleman but withdrew just six days before shooting began, creating an unexpected vacancy. Jamie Lee Curtis, known as a scream queen from the Halloween franchise, was skeptical about returning to leading roles at that point in her career.
I was telling interviewers I was 44, a little chubby, my hair was grey, I was refusing to dye it, and I was content with my life,
Curtis revealed in a 2003 interview with the Telegraph.
In this business, I’ve always known there’s a point at which the best thing to do is gently back out of the door.
However, after reading the script and meeting director Mark Waters, Curtis embraced the opportunity. She changed her look by dyeing her hair and learned to play guitar for the role, which revitalized her career.
Shows what can happen when you let go and let yourself feel liberated,
Curtis explained.
Lindsay Lohan’s Journey to the Role of Anna Coleman
Following the success of The Parent Trap, Lindsay Lohan took a step back to adjust to her rapid rise in fame. She admitted feeling overwhelmed by the sudden attention and chose to return to school to experience a more typical adolescence.
It came all at once, and Parent Trap was an amazing movie,
Lohan said in a 2003 interview with IGN.
How do you do something that can top that? I wanted to go to school and be a normal kid. I went to high school, and I did two Disney Channel things which were fun, just to keep up.
When Lohan received the script for Freaky Friday, she immediately recognized it as the perfect fit. Still, the audition process was competitive, and director Mark Waters reflected that her initial reading was
“probably the worst of the five”
candidates. Despite this, they saw something unique in her performance.
We also agreed she was a star,
Waters stated.
She had this amazing turbulence and energy which we thought was going to be really interesting for the character.
Originally Cast Colleagues Who Had to Step Away
The role of Anna’s best friend was initially given to reality star Kelly Osbourne, but she stepped down due to her mother Sharon Osbourne’s colon cancer diagnosis. Choosing family over career priorities, Kelly explained her decision years later.
I was faced with the choice of a career or spending what could have been the last days of my mother’s life with her,
Osbourne told Cosmopolitan in 2013.
The choice was apparently clear. I said, ‘F–k you, career, hello, Mother.’ I became my mum’s nurse 24/7.
Behind the Scenes: Cast Dynamics and Memorable Moments
Lohan’s first on-screen kiss came with Chad Michael Murray, who portrayed Anna’s boyfriend Jake. Despite nerves, she managed to perform well after numerous takes.
Meanwhile, Murray shared a surprising anecdote from behind the scenes about how Jamie Lee Curtis helped calm Lohan’s nerves before their intimate scene.
Just grabbed me by the back of the head and made out with me,
Murray recalled during a 2019 appearance on Busy Tonight. His reaction:
Dude, I just made out with Jamie Lee Curtis! This is great!
Tom Selleck was originally cast as Tess Coleman’s partner Ryan but left the project after Bening’s exit. Mark Harmon eventually took over the role, establishing a close friendship with Curtis, even leading to guest spots from the actress on Harmon’s CBS show NCIS.
Musical Training and Family Cameos in Freaky Friday
Both Curtis and Lohan learned guitar from Amir Derakh, a member of the band Orgy, to enhance their performances authentically. Lohan also recorded her debut song, “Ultimate,” which featured on the movie’s soundtrack.
Lindsay’s mother and manager at the time, Dina Lohan, appeared in a cameo during the film’s final wedding scene, adding a personal touch to the production.
Marc McClure, who played a love interest in the original 1976 film, made a brief appearance as Boris, the delivery man, reinforcing the film’s ties to its predecessors.
Alternate Ending Teases Potential Sequel
An alternate ending to the original Freaky Friday showed characters Harry and Grandpa opening fortune cookies that triggered an earthquake, hinting at a possible continuation of the story.
Speculation about a sequel gained traction in 2022 when Jamie Lee Curtis told fans during a press event in Mexico City that she would “absolutely” reprise her role as Tess Coleman. Reflecting on her friendship with Lindsay, she joked about double-checking the authenticity of her texts to avoid scams.
‘What was the song that you and I were trying to learn the rap [that’s] in the middle of the song while we were sitting in the car doing the scene while we were eating French fries?’
Curtis reminisced.
The answer is the Justin Timberlake song ‘Like I Love You.’
She recalled how they repeatedly played and rewound the tape, writing out the rap lyrics together inside the car.
Upcoming Sequel Brings Fans Back to the Freaky Friday Universe
With the original film’s 20th anniversary approaching, Curtis and Lohan are slated to return for a second body-swapping adventure, as confirmed by E! News. This continuation promises to revive the beloved franchise and reunite the two stars once again, providing fans with a long-awaited follow-up to the iconic story.
