‘Friends’ reunion special delayed due to Covid-19, expected to complete filming by end of summer
The production for the much-awaited ‘Friends’ reunion special for HBO Max has been delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus lockdown restrictions and is expected to be completed by the end of this summer, according to a report.
WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer chairman Bob Greenblatt told Variety, “At first we thought, shows will be delayed for a month or two at the most, and now it seems like it’s going to be far longer than that. We’re holding out for being able to get this special done hopefully by the end of the summer if the stars align and hopefully we can get back into production. We do think there’s a value to having a big, raucous live audience to experience these six great friends coming back together and we didn’t want to just suddenly do it on a web call with, you know, six squares and people shooting from their kitchens and bedrooms.”
However, he further confirmed that if the stay-at-home situation happens to extend indefinitely, then the creators may consider different options. “May go more to a virtual route if it is delayed too long,” Greenblatt said.
He added, “But at the moment, we’re trying to look to the future and get this thing done in a more conventional way, and I think it’s worth waiting for. We would have loved to have had it on [HBO Max on] Day One, but at the same time, if we can get it launched in the fall, I think it’ll be something that we can have the audience really looking forward to as well.”
The ‘Friends’ reunion special has created an immense buzz among fans, who are waiting with bated breath to see their favorite cast of characters to come together once again. Though the reunion special will not be airing on May 27 on HBO Max as planned initially, the streaming service is all set to launch on the same day.
The cast recently took to their respective social media handles to invite fans to join them on Stage 24. “We’re inviting you and five of YOUR friends to join the six of us on Stage 24. Be our personal guests in the audience for the taping of our @HBOMax reunion, as we reminisce about the show and celebrate all the fun we had... and get the whole Friends VIP experience on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour,” they wrote.