Hilary Duff, known for her role as Lizzie McGuire in the hit Disney Channel series of the same name, practically broke the internet after she announced she would be reprising the role for a reboot of the show.
However, the reboot was canceled as, according to Duff, “the stars just didn’t align.” Although the project was scrapped, Duff recently said she is still open to working on a “Lizzie McGuire” reboot, though her “phone hasn’t rang,” since making those comments.
Disney Remains Silent On ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Reboot
Hilary Duff recently went on to “Watch What Happens Live” to promote season two of “How I Met Your Father.” While there, host Andy Cohen read a question from fans, which mentioned “Lizzie McGuire.” He then asked Duff if she would still consider doing the reboot if “it lived up to her vision,” to which Duff quickly said, “Of course.”
Cohen then asked what the “main sticking point” was for the reboot, to which the “So Yesterday” singer got a bit tongue-tied, trying to tread lightly and not say something she didn’t mean. After a short pause, Duff gathered her thoughts and eventually answered, “Disney+ was very new and I think they were figuring out their [pause] and we were figuring out our [pause], and…,” Duff took another quick pause before concluding with, “I am optimistic.”
However, since Duff made those comments, even saying she was “optimistic” about the reboot still happening, Disney has yet to contact the actress.
“Phone hasn’t rang,” Duff told TheWrap during a press day for Hulu’s “How I Met Your Father.”
Duff Announces Lizzie Is No More
In December 2020, Hilary Duff took to social media to announce the “Lizzie McGuire” reboot project was officially scrapped.
“I’ve been so honored to have the character of Lizzie in my life. She has made such a lasting impact on many, including myself,” she began to explain. “To see the fans’ loyalty and love for her, to this day, means so much to me.”
But that is when Duff broke the news, writing, “I know the efforts and conversations have been everything trying to make a reboot work, but sadly despite everyone’s best efforts, it isn’t going to happen. I want any reboot of Lizzie to be honest and authentic to who Lizzie would be today. It’s what the character deserves. We can all take a moment to mourn the amazing woman she would have been and the adventures we would have taken with her. I’m very sad, but I promise everyone tried their best and the stars just didn’t align. Hey now, this is what 2020’s made of.”
Why Did The ‘Lizzie McGuire’ Reboot Get Scrapped?
The “How I Met Your Father” actress also addressed the “creative differences” that Disney and Duff had on the reboot project when speaking to Women’s Health. “She had to be 30 years old doing 30-year-old things. She didn’t need to be doing bong rips and having one-night stands all the time, but it had to be authentic. I think they got spooked.”
Because the 34-year-old stood her ground, the project ended up getting canceled, but Lizzie will always be close to the actress’s heart.
“It would be dumb of me to not know that I have a sweet spot playing that relatable girl,” she continued to tell the magazine. “I am that girl.” Even as a kid trying to separate herself from the character who made her famous, she managed to hold on to her optimism. “It was a conscious choice not to be angsty and try to shift people’s opinions on who I am,” she says, laughing. “That doesn’t mean I didn’t want to try!”
