Friends reunion with Jennifer Aniston and entire cast rescheduled to March 2021 after multiple delays due to Covid
THE Friends reunion with Jennifer Aniston and the entire cast has been rescheduled to March 2021 following multiple delays due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The highly-anticipated reunion special was expected to air in May on HBO Max – more than 15 years after the show’s series finale episode.
Matthew Perry – who played Chandler Bing on the NBC comedy – took to Twitter to reveal the disappointing news
He wrote: “Friends reunion being rescheduled for the beginning of March. Looks like we have a busy year coming up. And that’s the way I like it!”
The unscripted special, which would have also included Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, and Matt Le Blanc, had already been previously delayed.
Lisa, who played Phoebe Buffay, told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year: “We haven’t all been in the same room in front of people — I mean, we have privately once many years ago but that’s it.
“The whole point of this is to be in the same room. That hasn’t changed. And HBO Max is being phenomenally patient and understanding.”
The classic sitcom creator’s Marta Kauffman also told Entertainment Weekly: “We all want it to happen. We just have to wait until it is safe.
“This is a show that is not scripted, but this is the way the show works – we are going to need a live audience.
“Even if we socially distance that live audience, it really is a huge part of what Friends is… We can not do it without them.”
She added: “Everyone is all in and we are just waiting for that time when it feels connected to bring in a live audience.”
Back in February 2020, the cast all joined forces to simultaneously confirm the exciting news on Instagram as they all shared a post of the same cast image alongside the caption: “It’s happening.”
According to TVLine, the reunion would have taken place at the show’s original sound stage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros. Studio lot in Burbank, California.
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At the time, Deadline reported that “each of the six stars will be paid in the $3 million-$4 million range for appearing in the special.”
Friends premiered in 1994 before wrapping up in 2004.
While we may not see Jennifer, 51, in a Friends reuinion this year, she did take part in a Fast Times At Ridgemont High virtual read alongside many famous faces including her ex-husband Brad Pitt.