Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’ Sequel Probably Isn’t Happening After All
Dolly Parton and her 9 to 5 co-stars, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda, may not return for a sequel to the project after all. At the Tuesday (Oct. 29) red carpet premiere for her new Netflix series, Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, the country legend had disappointing news for fans hoping for a 9 to 5 return.
"I don't think we're going to do the sequel," Parton told ET Online, explaining that it was proving difficult to improve upon the 1980 classic. "We never could get the script where it was enough different than the first one, and that one turned out so good."
Fonda first confirmed the idea of a sequel in July of 2018, according to the Today show. For her part, Parton pointed out at the time that the #MeToo era would lend extra gravity to a reboot of the film.
"I've been talking to Lily and Jane ... Actually, all these years, we've been talking about doing a sequel to 9 to 5 and it never made any real sense until just recently," she told Nightline. The film tells the story of three secretaries who make good on a dream of fighting back against their misogynistic boss.
Even though a sequel to 9 to 5 looks unlikely, that doesn't mean that fans of the classic film won't ever again have a chance to see Parton, Fonda and Tomlin together on screen. "We're thinking we might do a completely different thing together, Jane, Lily and I," Parton tells ET. "We may do something different altogether, but I don't think we'll continue with [the sequel.]"
In the meantime, the country superstar has plenty of other irons in the fire. The eight-episode Dolly Parton's Heartstrings will premiere on Netflix on Nov. 22, with each installment's plot inspired by one of her iconic songs.
Before Heartstrings drops, Parton will co-host the 2019 CMA Awards alongside Reba McEntire and Carrie Underwood. During the ceremony, she will also perform a faith-filled medley showcasing her recent work with Christian artists. The latest of those new tunes, "Faith," is an EDM-inflected John Hiatt cover that features Swedish EDM duo Galantis and Dutch rapper Mr. Probz.
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