Many of the issues at the heart of hit 1980 feminist comedy “9 to 5” still resonate in 2018: equal pay, workplace harassment, childcare, and “sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigots” for bosses, for starters. So it makes sense that 20th Century Fox is looking to reboot the film for the #MeToo era. According to Deadline, Rashida Jones has been tapped to write the new “9 to 5” with the original film’s co-scribe Pat Resnick. Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and Dolly Parton are all in talks to star.
The reboot, which is in the early stages of development, “would focus on three young women dealing with sexism and chauvinism in the workplace, who turn to the original trio for help in navigating and getting even with the coarse male higher-ups.” Fox is confident that Jones “can make the concept relevant to a young comedy audience.”
Resnick is producing but no director is attached yet. Given the original and reboot’s focus on gender equality, hopefully the studio will hire a woman to step behind the camera.
The original “9 to 5” centers on three co-workers and friends (Tomlin, Fonda, and Parton) who become fed up with their company’s toxic, sexist culture, kidnap their asshole misogynist boss (Dabney Coleman), and take over workplace. Resnick came up with the original story and wrote the script with director Colin Higgins.
“9 to 5” was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2009 with music and lyrics by Parton and a book by Resnick. The production, led by Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, and Megan Hilty, was nominated for four Tony Awards.
Jones currently stars as the title character in TBS’ “Angie Tribeca.” She produces the comedy as well as the crime dramedy “Claws.” The “Parks and Rec” alumna co-wrote romantic drama “Celeste & Jesse Forever” and the “Black Mirror” ep “Nosedive” with Will McCormack. The writing partners were previously on board to pen “Toy Story 4” but left Pixar due to its poor treatment of women and people of color. Next, Jones is writing and directing “Goldie Vance,” a film adaptation of the graphic novel series about a teen sleuth.
“Maxie,” “Second Sight,” and “Straight Talk,” are among Resnick’s screenwriting credits.
