‘13 Going on 30’ reboot in the works at Netflix and the leads might be a perfect match
A fresh take on ‘13 Going on 30’ is officially in the works at Netflix, and it’s bringing together a mix of familiar energy and new faces that might just click in a big way. Emily Bader and Logan Lerman are stepping into leading roles, with Jennifer Garner (yes, the original Jenna Rink) joining behind the scenes as an executive producer. The title will be helmed by Brett Haley, who recently teamed up with Bader for ‘People We Meet on Vacation’, which was a major streaming success. The film ranked among Netflix’s Global Top 10 Movies (English) for four weeks, increasing anticipation for the duo's upcoming collaboration.
This time, though, the stakes feel a little higher because reboots always come with expectations. Fans remember every line, every outfit, and every tiny detail that made them smile the first time. And this particular story is not just another rom-com; it’s comfort food cinema. The original film, released back in 2004 by Columbia Pictures, followed a teenage girl who makes a birthday wish and wakes up as her adult self overnight, suddenly juggling a job, relationships, and a life she doesn’t fully understand. Garner played the grown-up version of Jenna, while Mark Ruffalo brought charm to his role as her love interest. It made money, sure (approximately $96 million globally), but more importantly, it stuck around.
It's now time to revisit that idea. While plot details for the reboot are being kept tightly under wraps, Haley didn’t shy away from acknowledging the pressure. He told Deadline, "‘13 Going on 30’ is one of those rare, perfect films. Funny, emotional, deeply human, with unforgettable performances from Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo and Judy Greer. I’m a longtime fan, so stepping into this reimagining comes with tremendous responsibility." Haley added, “Jennifer Garner being on board as an executive producer, after playing such a big part of what made the original special, is especially meaningful."
He also spoke about working with Bader again, adding, "I also couldn’t be more excited to reunite with Emily Bader after ‘People We Meet on Vacation’. She and the amazingly talented Logan Lerman are a magical pairing. I feel incredibly lucky to be trusted with something that means so much to so many people." Behind the camera, Haley is working from a script written by Hannah Marks, with revisions by Flora Greeson. Production-wise, there’s a long list of names attached, including Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum, along with contributors from RK Films and Revolution Studios.
