In 2019, millennials received exciting news of the Lizzie McGuire reboot, featuring Hilary Duff reprising her role as the main character alongside other original cast members. The original Disney Channel show, which aired from 2001 to 2004, followed Lizzie as a 13-year-old. The reboot aimed to explore Lizzie’s adult life, with the return of original showrunner Terri Minsky.
By 2020, the reboot was in full swing, with two episodes already filmed and production for the rest of the season underway. However, shortly after filming began, Disney unexpectedly parted ways with Terri, citing a desire to “move in a different creative direction.” It seemed Disney felt the reboot was straying into territory deemed too mature for their brand.
Hillary Duff (Credits: Buzz Feed News)
Hilary staunchly defended the initial concept, urging Disney to shift the show to Hulu, emphasizing that restricting a 30-year-old’s journey to a PG rating would do a disservice. Despite her efforts, the entire project was eventually scrapped. Hilary expressed sadness but reassured fans that everyone involved had given their best effort, and the stars just didn’t align.
In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Hilary expressed gratitude for the two episodes that were filmed, calling it a special two weeks of her life. Details about the storyline emerged, revealing that Lizzie moved back home after discovering her fiancé’s infidelity.
A former writer on the reboot, Jonathan Hurwitz, later shared additional insights on TikTok. Lizzie, now an interior designer in New York, faced relationship challenges, leading to her return home. Episode 2 featured the return of original series characters Gordo and Ethan Craft. Episode 3, though unwritten, sparked creative differences with Disney, possibly due to a suggestive opening scene between Lizzie and Ethan.
Jonathan described subsequent episodes in various stages of production, hinting at Lizzie’s potential move to California and exploration of life in her 30s. Despite the setback, Hilary expressed hope for the reboot’s revival in the future, mentioning in 2022 that there’s always a possibility. When asked about leaking the filmed episodes, she acknowledged the temptation but noted the importance of timing, believing that everything happens for a reason. Hilary emphasized that interest in the reboot is still alive, making it neither dead nor alive.
