Picture Credits: Getty Images
Twenty-two years after Jennifer Garner showed us the “Thriller” dance, Netflix is heading back to the “Big Time.” We’ve learned that a reimagined 13 Going on 30 film is officially in active development at the streamer, with a pair of rising stars and a frequent Netflix collaborator attached.
First released in 2004, the original 13 Going on 30 (starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo – who would later reunite in Netflix’s The Adam Project) remains a crown jewel of the rom-com genre. While rumors of a sequel or reboot have floated around for years, we can now report that Netflix is moving forward with a brand-new take on the “magic wishing dust” premise.
We first caught wind of the project back in the summer of 2024, when Revolution Studios (the company behind the IP) and Netflix optioned it for development as a brand-new movie. At the time, we had presumed Jennifer Garner would be involved in some form or another, given she’s worked extensively with Netflix under a multi-year deal and is currently filming her new movie for the streamer, One Attempt Remaining, opposite John Cena. We can now officially confirm that Garner is indeed returning to the franchise, this time serving as an executive producer.
Netflix has repeatedly declined to comment for our story, and we had agreed to hold until they were ready to announce, but Deadline published today anyway.
Who is starring in the 13 Going on 30 Reboot?
According to our sources, Emily Bader has officially been set to lead the film as Jenna. Presumably, she’ll be playing the adult version of the character, given that she was born in 1996 and is coming up on her 30th Birthday this year.
Bader is currently one of the most sought-after young actresses following her breakout performance in Prime Video’s My Lady Jane. This project also marks a major reunion; she recently starred in the smash-hit Netflix/3000 Pictures adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation, which spent four weeks in the Global Top 10 and was directed by the man tapped for this reboot. That’s in addition to being cast as soccer legend Mia Hamm in the upcoming Netflix movie: The 99’ers.
Joining Bader as her romantic counterpart is Logan Lerman. Lerman’s recent credits include Hulu’s hit comedy Only Murders in the Building and the dark comedy Oh, Hi!, which was recently snapped up by Sony Pictures Classics following its Sundance premiere.
Who is directing and writing?
Picture Credit: Getty Images
Netflix is keeping it in the family by tapping Brett Haley to direct, reuniting him with Bader. Haley has become a staple for the streamer when it comes to heartfelt, character-driven stories over the past few years. His previous credits for Netflix include:
- All the Bright Places (2020)
- All Together Now (2020)
- People We Meet on Vacation (2026)
In a statement regarding the announcement, Haley said: “13 Going on 30 is one of those rare, perfect films. Funny, emotional, deeply human, with unforgettable performances from Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Judy Greer. I’m a longtime fan, so stepping into this reimagining comes with tremendous responsibility.”
He added, “Jennifer Garner being on board as an executive producer, after playing such a big part of what made the original special, is especially meaningful. I also couldn’t be more excited to reunite with Emily Bader… She and the amazingly talented Logan Lerman are a magical pairing.”
The script was written by Hannah Marks (Mark, Mary, & Some Other People; After Everything) with revisions by Flora Greeson (The Princess Diaries 3; The High Note).
Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum will produce for RK Films. Garner is executive producing alongside Donna Roth, Susan Arnold, and Scott Hemming for Revolution Studios, Alyssa Altman for RK Films, and Hannah Marks.
What is the plot of the new film?
While the core “body-swap” hook remains, the script has been updated for a 2026 audience. The story follows Jenna, a 13-year-old girl who wishes she could just be an adult to escape the social pressures of middle school. In a significant shift from the original film’s family dynamic, this iteration of Jenna is being raised by two dads, providing a no doubt unexpected twist on her upbringing and her eventual “jump” into adulthood.
Further specifics regarding how the reboot’s romance will unfold are currently being kept under wraps.
