'Friends' Movie: The Next Big Reunion?

By Jo Piazza Posted Oct 3rd 2009 10:20AM

Rumors continue to fly over news that the cast of 'Friends' is finally ready to take Central Perk to the big screen. The UK's Daily Mail reported over the weekend that the movie was definitely a go, but the American press grew sour on the story after noticing the paper's source confirming everyone was on board was James Michael Tyler, the actor who played coffee shop clerk Gunther on the series. After the jump, experts weigh in on the likelihood and outcome of a possible 'Friends' film.

Still, there's been no official denial or confirmation of the story just yet, and after the success of 'Sex and the City: The Movie' and the excitement over the 'Seinfeld' reunion on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' it would make sense that movie studios are chomping at the bit to get the gang back together.

But some television and movie critics are skeptical if the beloved sitcom will translate well onto the big screen.

"The show ended with Monica and Chandler moving out of that infamous apartment, which was a character itself. I don't see how they can come back to the series without having that iconic set as the backdrop. Where will all the action take place -- Central Perk?" questioned New York Daily News television columnist Cristina Kinon.

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Jennifer Aniston Snapshots

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Jennifer Aniston Snapshots

Jennifer Aniston sighting on August 24, 2009 in the Queens borough of New York City..Jennifer Aniston Sighting in New York - August 24, 2009.Streets of Manhattan.New York, NY United States.August 24, 2009.Photo by Christopher Peterson/BuzzFoto/FilmMagic.com..To license this image (58168728), contact FilmMagic.com

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Actress Jennifer Aniston seen on the Streets of Manhattan on August 24, 2009 in New York City..Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler on Location for "The Bounty" - August 24, 2009.Streets of Manhattan.New York, NY United States.August 24, 2009.Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage.com..To license this image (58167355), contact WireImage.com

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Actor Gerard Butler and actress Jennifer Aniston seen on the Streets of Manhattan on August 24, 2009 in New York City..Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler on Location for "The Bounty" - August 24, 2009.Streets of Manhattan.New York, NY United States.August 24, 2009.Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage.com..To license this image (58167361), contact WireImage.com

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Actress Jennifer Aniston seen on the Streets of Manhattan on August 24, 2009 in New York City..Celebrity Sightings In New York - August 24, 2009.Streets of Manhattan.New York, NY United States.August 24, 2009.Photo by Brian Ach/WireImage.com..To license this image (58167337), contact WireImage.com

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The location for the show is definitely a problem that 'Sex and the City: The Movie' didn't have. In the HBO series the ladies were constantly on the move all over Manhattan, to Los Angeles and occasionally even slumming it in the suburbs.

"With 'Sex and the City' they always said New York was the fifth character on that show, and New York is a much larger playground to work with when shooting a movie than one (granted, very large) NYC apartment," Kinon said.

'Friends' also resolved its one great plot line when Ross and Rachel finally got together for good in the season finale.

"Ross and Rachel are basically the model for every 'will-they-or-won't-they?' story line on TV, and I think people are tired of it. Heck, Jennifer Aniston's real love life is much more interesting than anything Ross and Rachel," said Joel Keller, editor of TVSquad.com.

There is also the fact that the cast is starting to get a little long in the tooth. 'Friends was never really a show like 'Sex and the City' that centered on adults with successful adult lives. It was created to be a show about twenty-somethings struggling to get by in New York City.

"What was starting to look sad in their thirties definitely would look pathetic in their forties. Do we need to see a 40-year-old Joey cooing 'How you doin'?' to a college-age starlet?," Keller added.

The Final Scene of the 'Friends' TV Show

Vic Holtreman of Screenrant.com predicts the movie will be a flop, but more of a critical one than a financial one.

"I lean towards 'flop.' Most of the cast members have tried to do well on their own and haven't met with much success, so I guess the idea is 'Let's put the cast back together and see if we can recapture the chemistry.' But on the other hand, how big would a 'Seinfeld' movie be? Look at the 'Sex in the City' movie... anything's possible," Holtreman said.

So all backseat criticism aside, even if it turns out that Ross and Rachel stay together, Monica and Chandler live happily ever after as Phoebe sings 'Smelly Cat' to their adopted baby and Joey just eats another meatball sandwich, 'Friends' fans will probably tune in to see them do it on the big screen.

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Tags: friends, jen aniston, JenAniston, jennifer aniston, JenniferAniston, seinfeld, sex and the city, SexAndTheCity

Comments

(24)

Thursday 08 October

By GALE

Vote down Vote up Report this

I can't wait, and yes, I would go see it, probbly more than once. I thought Friends was super, and I think seeing were they ended up, and what they are doing is good. Let's get going...

Tuesday 03 November

By Danielle

Screw that guy in this article! Yes we wanna see Ross and Rachel! Yes we wanna see Joey using his famous "how you doin?" line! This guy doesn't know what he's talking about! Friends was the best sitcom ever made! Hands down!

Saturday 02 January

By Natasha_Serbia..xD

I would like to see Friends Movie,because I love that series and those actors very much..I still watch Friends every day..even though I watched every episode,I don't know,a thousand times..:):):)

Sunday 21 February

By ali

i cant wait to see the friends movie, if they make one that is and i hope they do and i would definatley pay alot of money to see it. big fan.

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