Dolly Parton says she won’t star in Jennifer Aniston’s 9 to 5 remake but may contribute music and supports the modern take on the classic.
Over four decades after the release of the iconic workplace comedy 9 to 5, a remake is on the horizon — but one of its original stars, Dolly Parton, says she likely won’t be appearing on screen.
In an interview with HuffPost on Wednesday, May 21, the 79-year-old music legend expressed enthusiasm for the remake but clarified she has “no plans” to act in the film. “Jane, Lily and I have been trying for years to try to come up with a 9 to 5: Two through the years,” Parton said, referencing her co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. “It never happened.”
Now, actress Jennifer Aniston is taking the reins on the remake, reportedly working behind the scenes to revive the beloved comedy. Aniston, 56, has expressed a desire to include the original trio in some capacity, but Parton isn’t so sure.
“We have no plans to be in that,” Parton said. “But I do wish her the best, because the script I read, I thought, was really good and a new and different take that really brings the office up to date the way that people live now.”
Parton added that age may be a factor in her decision to step back from an on-screen role. “We’re not gonna look that good on the big screen. All of us up there with all those beautiful, young, fresh people… so I don’t know.”
Still, Parton is fully supportive of the remake and has offered her legendary musical talents to the project. She’s given Aniston her blessing to use and rework the iconic theme song “9 to 5,” and she’s open to writing new music as well.
“I told her, I said, ‘You’re more than welcome to use my song ‘9 to 5,’ and if you need some additional songs, or if you need the ‘9 to 5’ song rewritten or reworked, you know, to do that,’” Parton said.
Though she won’t be playing Doralee Rhodes again, she’s confident someone new will step into the role with grace. “Some great person” will be cast, she said, and she looks forward to seeing the fresh take on the cult classic.
Parton also touched on her behind-the-scenes experience in Hollywood. She was an unaccredited producer on the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and now, through her company Sandollar Productions, she’s involved in the show’s reboot as well.
“I will be as involved as I need to be, or as I can be,” she said. “Or if they need, you know, I may come up with some ideas for some of the episodes.”
The 9 to 5 remake is being produced by Jennifer Aniston, with Juno writer Diablo Cody handling the script. Cody told People in August 2024 that she jumped at the chance to join the project.
“They were looking for a writer, and I heard about it, and I really move on things,” Cody said. “I thought, ‘If I don’t do this, I’m going to regret it.’ And that’s always the sign. I think to myself, ‘Would I be viciously jealous of the person who took this job if I didn’t take it?’ If the answer is yes, I have to do it.”
Source PEOPLE
