Why Now Is the Perfect Time for a Lizzie McGuire Reboot!

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Is this what dreams are made of? Because I think we’re about to find out – or we should be.

For quite some time now, I’ve been an ardent admirer of Disney Channel shows and films. From catching up with the witty antics of Phineas and Ferb to enjoying the iconic humor of Wizards of Waverly Place, or even keeping tabs on what the High School Musical cast has been doing, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Disney Channel – a sentiment that was particularly strong during my younger years. Now, as I look back, it’s the nostalgia that grips me most.

As a movie enthusiast, one show that really resonated with me – and seemed to capture the hearts of countless others – was none other than “Lizzie McGuire.” This series was an absolute juggernaut on Disney Channel, eventually spawning a big-screen adaptation that was met with tremendous success. It even laid the groundwork for a revival of the franchise much later down the line.

Nevertheless, in 2020, the revival of the “Lizzie McGuire” series was put on hold, leaving fans disheartened. It seems opportune now to make another attempt at resurrecting this tale, and here are my reasons.

Disney Has Been Having Success With Its Sequel Series Of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

The initial point is that Disney has already dabbled in remakes – they’re actually still at it.

In October 2024, a follow-up TV show called “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” debuted, picking up where “Wizards of Waverly Place” left off. This series has been cherished for numerous reasons, and I was simply one among millions who enjoyed it as a child. It’s the show that helped Selena Gomez achieve her superstar status.

Initially, when it was revealed that this sequel was in the works, fans expressed a degree of uncertainty given that Disney has primarily been churning out sequels, reboots, and remakes recently. These efforts haven’t always been met with favorable responses, even as there are many upcoming live-action Disney adaptations on the horizon.

Nevertheless, the fresh television series is outstanding, offering an equal amount of magic that appeals to both longtime fans and new viewers alike. Gomez played a significant role in mentoring the main actor and made appearances on the program as Alex Russo several times. The show has generated enjoyment and even warranted a renewal for Season 2, demonstrating that there remains a strong enthusiasm for classic TV shows to be extended through revivals or sequels.

The Original Series Itself Is So Widely Beloved

Another significant factor making this an ideal moment for a reboot is the immense popularity of the comedy series.

Among the numerous Disney series that come to mind, “Wizards of Waverly Place” consistently ranks high on my personal list of favorites. Other shows that also deserve a spot are “Hannah Montana,” “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” and “That’s So Raven.” These shows are simply unforgettable!

With only a few exceptions, most of these shows have spawned sequels or reboots in some form. Notably, Hannah Montana, for obvious reasons, did not continue. The spin-off of Zack and Cody, titled The Suite Life on Deck, was another favorite, and it followed the same vein. Similarly, the show That’s So Raven returned in a reboot called Raven’s Home, which ran for an impressive six seasons.

Couldn’t Lizzie McGuire have been among those popular shows too? Given its dedicated fanbase, it seems quite possible that it could achieve great success.

The Reboot Faced Conflict Because Of Covid, But That’s Not An Issue Anymore

What strikes me as particularly sad is not just that the reboot encountered numerous issues off-screen, but primarily because its downfall was largely due to the global pandemic, COVID-19, which unfortunately disrupted everything, including our lives, in 2020.

As reported by E! News during an interview, Jake Thomas, one of Hillary Duff’s co-stars from the original series, mentioned that the situation between them deteriorating was unfortunate and seemed to be due to poor timing.

Occasionally, things just don’t go as planned, it seems like everything aligned against us. It happened when COVID-19 was first breaking out.

It’s clear now that it’s not nearly as significant an issue as it once was, and the chance to rejoin the series is quite accessible.

The Cast Itself Has Expressed Interest In Doing It

One notable point is that several members of the cast have shown enthusiasm about reprising their roles in the show. Unlike some actors who might seek to distance themselves from their past characters, these individuals are eager to return and have maintained a strong attachment to the possibility of doing so.

In fact, the central star, Hillary Duff, has expressed a lot of optimism about returning to the reboot series. She spoke about it in an interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in January 2023 and said that she does think there’s a chance it could happen again since Disney+ was very “new” at the time.

The article also stated that a significant reason the revival didn’t move forward was due to creative differences between Disney and Duff, who wanted to make the reboot a little more “grown-up” for the millennials who watched the series. At the same time, Disney attempted to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.

Now that Disney has acquired Hulu, it could easily produce that series and place it on Hulu for fans to watch rather than on Disney+. This would still keep the series within the Disney family, but allow for a more adult-oriented reboot. Duff even wrote about this in February 2020 on Instagram:

Yes, I totally agree, and I would want to see it 110%.

It Feels Like The Perfect Time To Bring It Back

I know that there are plenty of us who are tired of remakes, reboots, and sequels.

Nevertheless, among all Disney shows, this particular one has remarkably persisted in popular culture over the years. It continues to capture the hearts of numerous fans who express deep affection for this series, and they’d eagerly watch an adult adaptation even today.

Given the recent resurgences and their demonstrated track record of success, it’s evident that Disney has the potential for another hit. The choice is theirs to make and execute.

It won’t be airing on TVs by 2025, but I’m eagerly waiting for some news about it soon. If it does come out, I’d love to know when I can stream it, as I’ll have my popcorn at the ready, all set to watch on my couch.

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2025-06-20 19:09