Hilary Duff has given an ominous hint as to why the Lizzie McGuire Reboot was put on hiatus last month. Posting on Instagram, the actor implied that the reasoning is similar to why Love, Simon was pulled from Disney+ this week.
‘Love, Simon TV Show Pulled From Disney+ As It’s Not ‘Family-Friendly,’ the headline Duff shared read, with a note that ‘The production about a gay teen will now be airing on Hulu under a new title.’
Sharing the screengrab, Duff added the caption ‘sounds familiar’ and circled the headline. According to NBC News, Love, Simon – which has since been moved to Disney-owned streaming service Hulu – was pulled because ‘issues explored on the show, including alcohol use and sexual exploration, would not fit in with the family-friendly content.’
Disney+ also moved High Fidelity to Hulu recently, a series starring Zoe Kravitz as Rob, a bisexual record-store owner trying to get over a relationship. When it was first announced that Lizzie McGuire had halted production, a Disney spokesperson said that the first two episodes were not going in the right ‘creative direction’.
‘Fans have a sentimental attachment to ‘Lizzie McGuire’ and high expectations for a new series,’ the spokesperson told Variety. ‘After filming two episodes, we concluded that we need to move in a different creative direction and are putting a new lens on the show.’
At the time, creator Terri Minsky stepped away from her role as showrunner, with a new one yet to be named. However, Deadline reported this week that there has been no change in the series’ status and the show is still being redeveloped as planned.
So, while we might not know who's running the show or what direction it's going in, here's everything we do know about the reboot...
Lizzie McGuire: the original...
The show followed Lizzie, a high school student, and the trials and tribulations of her life. She struggled with crushes, frenemies and fitting in, but always had the support of her two best friends Gordo and Miranda, as well as the advice of her surprisingly cool parents. Her little brother, Matt, tended to put a spanner in the works, though, and she was also accompanied by a cartoon avatar, who would comment on developments in between scenes.
Lizzie McGuire only aired for two seasons (64 episodes, between 2001 and 2004) but was a bona fide hit. So much so, that Lizzie received the big screen treatment in 2003, through Lizzie McGuire: The Movie, which saw her journey to Italy on a school trip.
In August last year, original star Hilary Duff announced that Lizzie was back. 'SURPRISE!!!' she wrote online. 'I’ve been trying to contain this excitement for a loooong time while this has been in the works! I am beyond excited to be home again, back with my girl...and into her 30’s.'
Now in her 30s, Lizzie is navigating life in New York City.
The Lizzie McGuire reboot cast...
Well, you can't reboot Lizzie McGuire without Lizzie. Hilary Duff is, thankfully, back as the titular character. Since the programme ended, Hilary has launched a hit music career and appeared in shows like Younger and Gossip Girl.
She's bringing most of the old cast with her. In November of 2019, she posted an Instagram picture of herself posing with actor Adam Lamberg, who played her friend (and eventual love interest).
Her parents and brother, Jake, will also be a part of proceedings: Hallie Todd, Robert Carradine and Jake Thomas were all photographed at a table read last year. Lalaine, who played Lizzie's bezzie Miranda, has not confirmed a return though.
When is Lizzie McGuire premiering?
Disney + comes to the UK in March 2020. It is not yet known if Lizzie McGuire herself arrives at the same time, and the production hiatus is sure to impact schedules, but hopefully we shouldn't have too long a wait. Check back here for a confirmed date as soon as it's announced.
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