Freakier Friday star Manny Jacinto reveals that a crucial scene almost didn’t make it into the sequel. Released last summer, Freakier Friday received mostly favorable reviews and performed well at the Box Office. In an era where legacy sequels have had mixed success, this film truly stood out.
Jacinto became part of a cast featuring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan reprising their roles, while also welcoming new characters portrayed by Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and others. In this role, Jacinto embodies Eric Reyes, a devoted fiancé to Anna, who is striving to win the affection of his future stepdaughter, Harper, all while ensuring his own daughter remains content.
In a media conversation Jacinto disclosed that a significant homage nearly didn’t make it into the film. This homage, which pays tribute to the iconic dance sequence featuring Patrick Swayze, was something Jacinto mentioned “wasn’t part of the original script.”
It seems there were challenges in obtaining the music rights for this project. However, Kristen Burr, the producer of Freakier Friday, advocated strongly for it, stating – “It’s such a special moment.”
According to Manny Jacinto, “Oh, wow. The most significant response I’ve noticed from people, particularly regarding my character, has been the homage to the dance scene featuring Patrick Swayze. Initially, that scene wasn’t part of the script, and we faced challenges in securing the rights to the music. However, our producer, Kristen Burr, insisted, ‘This is essential. It’s a truly memorable moment,’ and we made it happen. Fortunately, my lower back was on board with it.”
The pivotal moment occurs after the four-way body swap has been completed. Harper now finds herself in her mother Anna’s body, which means she must undertake all the pre-wedding responsibilities that Anna was supposed to handle. This involves participating in the dance rehearsal meant for Anna and Eric.
During the rehearsal, the duo dances to “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life.” Eric executes the iconic lift from Dirty Dancing, referencing one of the most renowned movie dance sequences ever. It’s difficult to picture this moment absent from Freakier Friday.
Although they could have chosen another dance, the immediate recognition of this performance makes it an unforgettable scene. This scene serves a significant narrative function for the entire film. When the body swap occurs, Lily and Harper (in the roles of Tess and Anna) initially employ it as a strategy to separate their parents and halt the wedding immediately.
In the beginning, that is indeed their objective. As time passes, Harper begins to recognize Eric’s worth and the way he treats Anna. The dance scene, occurring relatively soon after the swap, marks one of the initial instances where Harper perceives Eric in a more favorable light.
The dance sequence featuring Patrick Swayze is not just an extraordinary stunt; it serves as a pivotal element in the film’s overall narrative. The team behind Freakier Friday was fortunate that the copyright disputes were resolved, allowing them to incorporate the tribute to Swayze.