14 DAY TRIAL // Ever since “Friends” ended its ten-year run on television in 2004, rumors of a comeback for a long feature-film version of the show have never ceased to make the rounds. At times, even the original stars were certain of a remake happening – but it never did. That will change in 2011, when all six protagonists will be reprising their roles for a big-screen version, News of the World says.
Studio bosses have taken the example of SATC, which is now at the second long feature film after a very successful run on TV, and have finally set the wheels in motion for a “Friends” movie, James Michael Tyler says for the tabloid. Tyler, as fans must remember, played Gunther in the original series, and he claims to know for a fact that a reunion is upon us, to which all six stars have already agreed.
“Friends: The Movie is definitely on. I still keep in touch with a lot of the cast and they say that they are really keen.” Tyler is quoted as saying. Past attempts at starting talks of a long feature film always stumbled upon obstacles such as stars not wanting to revisit the story, too high financial demands or the producers’ inability to come up with a story that would do the show justice. All of these have now been settled, sources say for the tabloid.
“The cast haven’t set the world alight since the show finished. But this film could relight some of their flagging careers in a big way. But everyone knew the story had to be right and well written. Getting the creators on board was a massive step forward for the project. The show did lose a lot of its shine in the last few seasons, but with the actors all in the forties it would be a real interest to see how their characters have developed.” another inside source explains.
Warner Brothers has already approached “Friends” creators David Crane and Marta Kauffman to write and produce the film, and both have agreed, the tab says. Moreover, a tentative release date for the summer of 2011 has already been set, which can only mean an official announcement is to be made very soon.
*Update: Lisa Kudrow has denied the above. See here for details.