Transgender Freaky Friaday Film Supposedly in the Works

[Winter]

So, apparently there Disney is talking about yet another Freaky Friday film (seriously this is like one of their most remade properties with 4 films and one musical) only with a twist. This time instead of a mother and daughter switching bodies and trying to reverse whatever caused the switch while learning about each others lives it's a trans boy and a trans girl switching bodies who are trying to make sure they Can't switch back.

Supposedly it will be directed by, of all people, Stephen Spielberg and written by, get this, ND Stevenson. The film will apparently be more of a dramedy instead of a straight-up comedy like the other version as Spielberg wishes to try his hand in Screwball comedy with a chase scene similar to What's Up Doc yet wishes explore the ups and downs of transitioning without a hint of comedy.

The core of the film would remain the same, parents and children coming to understand one another but told from the perspective from the kids as the parents tried to understand and except them. It's also apparently going to end on a more bittersweet note with one family rejecting their child but being adopted by the other family. And, to quote the page directly here, "This will be one of the gayest Disney films ever seen on the Big Screen."

Gotta admit that while I doubt this is real I can buy the idea as Spielberg has shown to be an active supporter of LGBT rights. Keep in mind in his adaptation of West Side Story made Anybodys a trans boy played by a non-binary actor so this does fit him and the idea of taking a well known but not particularly deep story and giving it a seriously level of angst does fit Stevenson's style too.

The thing that makes me doubt this the most is the idea of Spielberg and Stevenson working together. Not that I don't think they wouldn't get along (personally I think they would like a house of fire) but because their styles are so different from each other. Spielberg usually likes to take his time with a story, not a slow burn but not really that fast either while Stevenson usually has a faster pace to most of his stories. Not break neck speed but faster then what is normal for Spielberg.

At the same time I WANT this to be real. Transgenders don't get enough representation on the big screen and the idea that one of us is working a film with not one but two transgender leads with one of our most notable allies who also happens to be one of the greatest directors of all time. I think I would actually cry if this was real.

[hammerofglass]

Yeah I really don't see Disney doing it. They have way too much of a history of panicking and pulling the plug if there's any queer content they can't snip out without a trace for foreign markets.

[clearspira]

Even if this is real I absolutely cannot see Spielberg directing it. Sounds like the sort of thing done for five dollars on Disney Plus which isn't what you would get one of the best directors in the world working on.

I also find it dubious that ANYTHING has been greenlighted (or has remained greenlighted) during a time where the actors, writers and the VFX artists are on strike. The film and TV landscape for the next couple of years is going to look very different to what we've been used to.

[Winter]

Yeah I really don't see Disney doing it. They have way too much of a history of panicking and pulling the plug if there's any queer content they can't snip out without a trace for foreign markets.

Apparently there's no intention of releasing this in China or Russia because of the queer content and will, sadly, have a more limited release in the UK due to the higher discrimination of transgenders over there. Again, I doubt this myself as it seems almost to good to be true yet hope it is as it would be great to see it.

[ProfessorDetective]

1). That is... a UNIQUE premise and a novel take on such a tired concept/plotline, at least. I would give it a chance, after trailer or two.

2). Yeah, if it isn't the West Coast, the East Coast from DC up, or on the Great Lakes (Minnesota, in particular, oddly enough), the US has a bad habit of being hostile to... Well, MOST folks, frankly. But transgender folks especially, in recent days.

[clearspira]

Thinking about this further: this film is a minefield and I am not talking from the bigots (who will hate this no matter what). The way its currently described... sounds like it could actually get kind of offensive. Such a concept would have to be done delicately. For example, is the whole thing going to be a sugar and roses light comedy or are they actually going to do this realistically and have one of them ACTUALLY experience what it would be like to be the other sex i.e. sexual harassment? How does the latter handle this in a tasteful way? And if this is going to be sugar and roses, do they go down the ''Its a Boy Girl Thing'' route and have boner jokes and such? Would that be appropriate to make a joke out of what is otherwise a deeply personal situation?

I'm just saying, I kind of like the idea too, but I deeply question Disney's ability to do it properly. And like I already said, there is no way that this film will be afforded grade-A writers and directors. Not with the strikes going on.

[CharlesPhipps]

I got a bunch of one star reviews for putting a trans character in my Supervillainy books.

That, of course, inspired me to make them a major character and add a second one.

[ProfessorDetective]

I got a bunch of one star reviews for putting a trans character in my Supervillainy books.

That, of course, inspired me to make them a major character and add a second one.

Now, that's the correct response, sir. Respect.

[CharlesPhipps]

I got a bunch of one star reviews for putting a trans character in my Supervillainy books.

That, of course, inspired me to make them a major character and add a second one.

Now, that's the correct response, sir. Respect.

Ha. Thanks.