A remake of the iconic 1980 comedy 9 to 5 is on the horizon. Jennifer Aniston is set to produce, and it is a reimagining for 20th Century Studios.
The original starred Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin as secretaries trapped on the corporate treadmill. It was directed by Colin Higgins, who wrote the screenplay with Patricia Resnick. It tells the story of three working women who live out their fantasies of getting even with, and overthrowing, the company’s autocratic, “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot” boss, played by Dabney Coleman.
After seeing themselves continually passed over for promotions, witnessing widespread sexual harassment, and having their ideas stolen, they plan to get even after the boss blackmails one into sleeping with him. When a kidnapping plot unfolds, they uncover his embezzlement scheme.
The film grossed over $103 million and became the star vehicle for Parton, already established as a successful country musician, launching her into mainstream popular culture.
9 to 5 remains viewed as a classic, standing at 74th on the American Film Institute’s 100 Funniest Movies list.
It was then launched as a five-season-long sitcom on ABC in 1982, and a musical stage adaptation with new songs written by Parton opened on Broadway in 2009. Attempts at a legacy sequel fell through six years ago.
For this new version, Diablo Cody (Juno, Lisa Frankenstein) is working on the latest script. Aniston’s Echo Films partner Kristin Hahn is also producing.
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