Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino dressed in character at a Disney showcase on Friday to discuss plot details for the upcoming Romy and Michele sequel.
The actresses are reprising their roles nearly 30 years after starring in the 1997 cult classic Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, having started filming the project in Los Angeles earlier this summer.
Friends star Lisa Kudrow, 63, who plays Michele, appeared alongside co-star Mira Sorvino, 58, who stars as Romy. At the event, Sorvino revealed that their beloved characters still own their fashion boutique in Beverly Hills, with Kudrow adding that the establishment is "really chic."
Romance serves as a central theme in the new film, with Sorvino teasing that it might be time for the two women to find true love. Keegan-Michael Key plays Michele's new love interest, while Rob Huebel will play the love interest for Romy.
The stars arrived at the Disney showcase wearing eye-catching outfits tailored to their characters. Kudrow was dressed head to toe in pink, wearing a cropped jacket with a mini skirt, tights, and platform heels, accompanied by a nostalgic half up half down hairstyle, glitzy smokey eye makeup, and a pink lip.
Sorvino chose a lilac trench coat accessorized with a silver belt and boots.
Sequel Production and Los Angeles Set Details
Kudrow reunited on set with Sorvino back in June to film their first scenes together since the release of the original 1997 movie. After kicking off production in Los Angeles, the two actresses wore coordinating pink ensembles with matching sunglasses while filming a scene stepping out of a vintage Jaguar that also featured in the original film.
Behind the scenes, Kudrow was spotted walking beside her on-screen love interest, Keegan-Michael Key. Kudrow was dressed head to toe in monochromatic pink, wearing a short-sleeved button-down shirt, miniskirt, pink opaque tights, and carrying a metallic pink bag, with her blonde hair styled in a sleek blowout with wispy bangs.
Sorvino was dressed in a pale lavender purple trench coat-style dress with oversize round sunglasses, her platinum blonde hair styled in voluminous curls. During the event, Ginnifer Goodwin, Ke Huy Quan, Lisa Kudrow, and Mira Sorvino spoke together onstage.
Streaming Release and Creative Team
Earlier this month, the lead stars shared a photo of themselves sitting in director chairs on set with the movie title on the back. The photo was also published by 20th Century Studios with the caption, "The reunion you've been waiting for! The Romy and Michele sequel is now in production." Sorvino commented under the post, "It's finally happening. Bursting with joy to be 'reunited!'"
Following the original theatrical movie, the project will be released exclusively as a Hulu Original via streaming. If the film is released in 2027, the premiere will mark Romy and Michele's 40th high school reunion.
Tim Federle is directing the sequel, while Robin Schiff, who created the characters and wrote the original movie, penned the script. Original producers Laurence Mark and Barry Kemp are returning for the project alongside original costume designer Mona May.
Mona May previously discussed working on the sequel in an interview with Deadline, stating, "I'm so excited to be a part of this amazing project to keep the DNA of the characters and design the fashions to be as fun and fabulous as the original film." May added, "Romy and Michele are forever fashionistas, and I'm so excited to be working with Lisa and Mira again."
Returning Cast and Original Movie Legacy
Several original castmates are returning for the sequel, including Janeane Garofalo as Heather Mooney, Alan Cumming as Sandy Frink, Camryn Manheim as Toby Walters, and Julia Campbell as Christy Masters. Breckin Meyer, Patrick Warburton, and Nathan Lee Graham are also joining the cast.
David Mirkin directed the original 1997 film, which followed two dim-witted, aspiring fashion designers on a road trip to Arizona for their high school reunion while posing as sophisticated businesswomen who had "invented" Post-it notes. The comedy earned $29.2 million against a $20 million budget before developing a cult following.
Development History and Reunion Origins
Plans for a follow-up first began after Kudrow and Sorvino appeared as their characters in 2022 to present the Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Last year, Kudrow gave an update on The Drew Barrymore Show after Sorvino told People that deals had been signed.
Speaking on the talk show, Kudrow said, "She said it perfectly. We're as close as we have ever been. There's a script that's really good. [Original screenwriter] Robin Schiff wrote it." Kudrow added, "So it'll happen! I mean, we'll see. Because having a close friend it's about you know friends that love each other, which is funny because I was on a show that was like that too, but that is basically what it is."
When asked what she wants from the sequel, Kudrow stated, "I just still want [Romy and Michele] to be as relatable, but also as dumb and lovable as they ever were. Like, I don't think they've learned that much in the time in between, but they still have that unstoppable spirit and that friendship and that idiocy that makes everybody kind of love them." She added, "And so, that essential nature of them and the heart that's at the center of that, that heart has to stay there."
