Could a '9 to 5' Reunion Ever Happen? '80s Star Shares Her Honest Take
Fans of the hit 1980 comedy9 to 5 have long been begging to see the stars reunite for a follow-up to the project, but if Lily Tomlin now says they probably shouldn't hold their breath.
When asked if she and costar Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton would ever consider an onscreen reunion or reboot, she told People, "I don't think we're going to break the back of that one."
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While she and Fonda did collaborate for their 2015–2022 NetflixsitcomGrace and Frankie, she says a full reunion would be much more complicated. "I talk to Jane all the time," Tomlin said. "But Dolly, you have to call her secretary. She's hard to reach. Plus, she's off there in Nashville."
Still, the film holds a special place in fans' hearts. 9 to 5 starred Tomlin as Violet Newstead, Fonda as Judy Bernly, and Parton as Doralee Rhodes. The three women worked in corporate America, and exacted revenge on their sexist boss Franklin Hart, Jr., played by the late Dabney Coleman.
The movie was a major commercial hit, becoming one of the most successful films of its year. Though it was made on a relatively small budget of $10 million, it grossed over $103 million worldwide. It also helped launch Parton, Tomlin, and Fonda further into mainstream stardom and led to a TV adaptation and a Broadway musical.
Early on, all three actresses were openly enthusiastic about revisiting the beloved story, with Parton saying in a 2018 interview that "we are going to do another one" inspired by the #MeToo movement. "We are trying to get the script and all that, everyone is very interested, and we've all agreed that we'd love to do it if it's right," she said.
Fonda echoed the sentiments, saying that all three of them were "intending to be in it" and that Rashida Jones had been tapped to write the script alongside original co-writer Patricia Resnick.
However, momentum on a direct sequel ultimately stalled. Reports allege that plans involving the original trio were dropped around 2019, despite years of discussion. However, in 2024, The Guardian reported that Jennifer Aniston's production company may have picked up the IP for a modern-day reimagining written by June write Diablo Cody. As of now, there are no further details on the reboot.
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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 3:29 PM.