The first image of Jill Scott, Ryan Michelle Bathe and Michelle Buteau in the remake of First Wives Club has been released, as well as some insider information from the film’s writer, Girls Trip scribe Tracy Oliver.
Oliver said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that even though it’s a remake, “…at the core of this one, it was just all about women and women finding their voices and their place,” calling the story “timeless and something we could definitely use in 2019.”
Of course, there are changes from the original 1996 film, which are revealed in the Entertainment Weekly article. Instead of the three friends (Goldie Hawn, Bette Midler and Diane Keaton) reconnecting after a friend commits suicide after learning her husband has married a younger woman, the film starts with Scott’s character, Hazel, who becomes tabloid fodder after her husband’s cheating goes public. Her friends Bree (Buteau), a surgeon, and Ari (Bathe), a lawyer, help her while realizing they are also going through marital issues.
Oliver said the film will still hit the spot for those who are diehard fans of the movie like herself. “I thought the fun of the movie was all of the broad high jinks and adventures they got into, so I definitely kept that stuff,” she said. Some of the key moments that tie the film to the original include the iconic “You Don’t Own Me” scene, which will be recreated by Scott, Bathe and Buteau. Oliver said hardcore fans would “catch every single reference” the film has to offer.
First Wives Club will premiere on BET next year. It is a part of the slate of new original comedies, dramas and movies the network has on tap for 2019, including the Soul Train miniseries American Soul and the Amara La Negra and Tami Roman-starring comedy Fall Girls.
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