Disney’s 2003 body-swapping film Freaky Friday had so many iconic moments. One of them is the scene when Anna’s crush, played by Chad Michael Murray, falls for her mother (without knowing Anna’s in her body) and serenades her with a Britney Spears song. Apparently, the One Tree Hill actor’s singing was so loud that it woke up a neighborhood.
Murray, who plays Jake, told Vulture his rendition of Britney Spear’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time” had some unexpected consequences for surrounding residents.
“Mark [Waters, director] sent it to me the night before filming,” said Murray. “It wasn’t originally in the script. […] We shot it in a neighborhood where everyone was already asleep. I felt so bad for them. They were none too pleased with our lights and me terribly belting Britney Spears at all hours of the night.”
Chad Michael Murray even made sure to mention to Mark Waters that he wasn’t a singer. The Freaky Friday director felt that would actually make the scene even better. He was absolutely right as it made the scene more natural. Getting to hear this actor’s screeching falsetto voice allowed the serenade to be as memorable as it was. Plus, I’m sure it was an equally unforgettable moment for the irritated neighbors. Hopefully, they were alerted later this was all for a Disney movie.
Would Chad Michael Murray Be Game for Freaky Friday 2?
In February, Jamie Lee Curtis confirmed a sequel to Freaky Friday was happening. This made the hearts of many Millenials so happy. And then the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes happened on July 14th, which put many projects on hold, including the Disney sequel. But the good news is that Chad Michael Murray mentioned to Vulture he’d be down to reprise his role as Jake for the sequel.
“They announced it, and then everyone went on strike,” said the 41-year-old actor. “So I think the development is on hold for the moment. It would be awesome to come back and have Jake come in and reenter the world of mayhem. It would only be that much more interesting having Jamie potentially play a grandma or Lindsay playing a mother and Jake entering that world in some weird, bizarre way or still a part of it. It would be fantastic. I’d be all in.”
That would be incredible if Jake ended up with Anna only for their daughter to switch places with her mother. After all, Anna does have experience in that body-swapping area. But as for when we’ll get that long-awaited sequel, Curtis said to EW that moment will come when writers “get paid correctly.” The status of a Freaky Friday sequel will apparently depend on the resolution of this Hollywood strike.
