Freakier Friday Director Ditches Hurtful Stereotypes for Asian Representation

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In her approach to the remake, Nisha Ganatra aimed to eliminate the typical Asian stereotypes found in the original ’00s film’s sequel.

As a dedicated cinephile, I must admit that while I adore the magical comedy “Freaky Friday,” it’s undeniable that certain Asian stereotypes are present. The body-swapping event in this film is triggered by fortune cookies gifted to Tess (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Anna (Lindsay Lohan) by an elderly Chinese woman. A moment later, Anna exclaims, “She did something, some strange Asian voodoo.” This statement might strike contemporary viewers as racially insensitive or offensive to some.

In the early 2000s, Hollywood’s approach towards anti-racism and Asian representation was not as advanced… However, significant progress has been made recently. Ganatra aims to build upon these advancements. During an interview, she characterized the representation of Asians in the initial film as “complex” and stated, “Certain stereotypes were harmful.

Ganatra remarked about the movie he watched, expressing mixed emotions, particularly concerning the portrayal of Asians and the music used in the background. He immediately addressed this issue during his initial meetings with the producers, exclaiming that it was problematic Asian representation.

It turns out, the producers heeded her suggestions; the cast will feature individuals of Asian descent – including Sophia Hammons portraying his daughter Lily. Jacinto, who has previously advocated for Asian roles, also addressed this topic in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.

When I decided to join, it brought back memories of initially watching the original “Freaky Friday,” and I found myself thinking, “This doesn’t seem as fresh as it once was” when it comes to the representation of diverse characters. However, knowing Nisha and conversing with others in our community, I was confident that we were led by someone who understood those stereotypes or concerns portrayed in the initial film. In turn, I felt reassured and well-supported.

As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Pei-Pei (originally played by Rosalind Chao) and her mother, portrayed by Lucille Soong, are reprising their roles for the upcoming sequel, “Freakier Friday.” This time around, their characters will be handled with greater respect, as reflected in the statement from producer Ganatra: “We felt it was important to correct any past oversights and do justice to these characters.” He further mentioned that there would be subtle nods to the original film while also addressing concerns raised by viewers who found certain moments in the previous installment hurtful.

Rosalind Chao Wasn’t Sure About Her Role

Looking back on my interview in 2023 for the twentieth anniversary of the film, I confessed that I initially harbored some reservations regarding the character of Pei-Pei. At first glance, I must admit I felt a bit apprehensive, thinking to myself, “Oh dear, I’m not sure about diving into this whole Chinese aspect.” But as time went by, my perspective shifted, and I ultimately embraced the opportunity.

She continued, “However, I’ve always found ways to change the narrative. Suddenly, I paused and wondered, ‘What exactly was I just discussing?’ You see, I grew up in a Chinese restaurant. Yes, my father truly embodied that character, full of warmth and charisma, saying things like, ‘Oh, you look so handsome. It’s been a long time since I saw you. You’ve grown so much.’ Despite his accent, he believed he had none. I don’t wish to disown this side of me. Instead, I choose to celebrate it.

Freakier Friday will be released on Aug. 7, 2025.

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2025-04-30 20:59