‘9 to 5’, ‘Highlander’, and ‘Valley Girl’: This week’s essential remakes and reboots
Hollywood loves a second pass. The three remake projects that once looked imminent in early 2018 have each followed their own winding path, with some now in production and others reshaped by new players.
What a way to make a living: Rashida Jones may be penning a 9 to 5 reboot
Stop us if you’ve heard this one before: a group of women join forces to fight back against workplace sexual harassment. No, we’re not talking about Hollywood in the past six months, silly. We’re talking about the classic comedy 9 to 5! On Wednesday, Deadline reported actor-writer Rashida Jones (Parks and Recreation) may be penning a script for a potential reboot of the 80s classic movie. Furthermore, original cast members Jane Fonda (Barbarella), Lily Tomlin (Grandma), Dolly Parton, and Pat Resnick may all be returning, too. While little else is known about the proposed reboot, it could certainly make for a timely release during an era of the Time’s Up & MeToo movements. Colin Higgins’s original 80s comedy saw three women kidnap and reap revenge on their chauvinistic boss after suffering repeated incidents of sexual harassment.
9 to 5 reimagining shifts to Jennifer Aniston and Diablo Cody
The 2018 attachment stalled after script concerns surfaced. Dolly Parton later confirmed the idea was dropped when the tone risked overlapping too closely with the original. A fresh version now sits with Jennifer Aniston producing through Echo Films and Diablo Cody writing. The original stars have voiced support without plans to reprise their roles, keeping the focus on a new ensemble and updated workplace dynamics.
Valley Girl remake temporarily taken off MGM release schedule
If you’re a huge fan of the 1983 cult teen movie Valley Girl, it may soothe you to know MGM’s upcoming musical remake of the movie no longer has a release date. But don’t get too excited – the movie is simply being optioned for a better opening date. No doubt fans of the original movie hope that date will be never. Directed by Rachel Goldenberg, the Valley Girl remake stars Josh Whitehouse (who is a poor replacement for Nicolas Cage, let’s be honest), Jessica Rothe (La La Land), Peyton List (Remember Me), and Chloe Bennet (Nashville). For some reason it also stars the controversial YouTuber Logan Paul, so it’s probably for the best the movie lays low while all the drama dies down a little.
Valley Girl musical remake released in 2020
The project moved from limbo to completion and landed on May 8, 2020, via VOD with limited drive-in screenings shaped by the pandemic. Jessica Rothe and Josh Whitehouse led the cast, and the musical take drew mixed reviews that praised the songs yet noted the story felt thin next to the 1983 original. No wide theatrical rollout followed, and the release quietly closed the MGM chapter.
Who wants to live forever? Highlander reboot entering next phase of life
Chad Stahelski’s (John Wick) upcoming reboot of Highlander is officially on its way, with Deadline reporting that Ryan Condal (Rampage) has handed in his script to Lionsgate. The movie is set for a 2019 release, which gives you just enough time to grow your hair really long like a true Highlander. The 1986 feature about an immortal Scottish swordsman who can only be destroyed by decapitation starred Christopher Lambert (Beowulf) & Sean Connery (The Rock). Ironically, it also featured the tagline, “There can only be one,” which is a phrase meaning absolutely nothing in the reboot era.
Highlander production finally underway with Henry Cavill
Years of development gave way to cameras rolling in January 2026 in Scotland. Henry Cavill stars as Connor MacLeod, with Chad Stahelski directing and Russell Crowe among the supporting cast. The project now targets a 2027 release after multiple delays, including an injury Cavill sustained during training. Early descriptions frame it as a modern-day sword saga with the kinetic style Stahelski brought to the John Wick films.
Highlander moves studios amid rising budget
Lionsgate stepped away once the reported cost reached roughly $180 million. Amazon MGM and United Artists acquired the package in 2025, absorbing the financial weight in exchange for the property’s built-in audience. The studio shift also reset marketing plans, with an eye toward pairing the 2027 release with a broader push around the existing Highlander catalog.
Each title now carries a clearer endpoint than the 2018 headlines suggested. The 9 to 5 property sits with new writers and producers, Valley Girl has already played, and Highlander has finally reached the set. The pattern shows how long development windows and shifting economics can stretch even the most recognizable titles before they reach audiences.
