Maybe they’ll call it “The One Where They Beat the Pandemic.”
After months of delays due to the novel coronavirus, it appears HBO Max has solidified a new production schedule for the “Friends” Reunion Special.
According to Matthew Perry, who starred as Chandler Bing in the hit series, the reunion will start filming in March 2021. The actor tweeted: “Friends reunion being rescheduled for the beginning of March. Looks like we have a busy year coming up. And that’s the way I like it!”
The special was initially intended to be available for streaming on HBO Max’s launch day in May, but production was halted in March. According to The Hollywood Reporter, showrunners briefly considered resuming filming in August but ultimately decided against it.
While some fans have suggested the possibility of a virtual reunion special, the show’s six stars and producers are all calling for an in-person reunion. They intend to film the show at Stage 24 on the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California — where the series was filmed on a regular schedule from 1994-2004.
”We haven’t all been in the same room in front of people,” “Friends” alum Lisa Kudrow told The Hollywood Reporter in May. “We (met) privately once many years ago but that’s it. The whole point of this is to be in the same room. That hasn’t changed. And HBO Max is being phenomenally patient and understanding.”
David Schwimmer, who starred as Ross Geller on the show, shared a similar sentiment with E! News.
“I guess what I’m honestly most looking forward to is just being in the room with those other five actors,” he said. “Being on the actual soundstage on the actual set for the first time in 10 years, the set that we shot on for 10 years, that to me is going to be a really meaningful experience.”
“Friends” has steadily become one of the most popular TV shows of all time, according to Us Weekly. Over its 10-year run, the sitcom received nominations for more than 60 Primetime Emmy Awards, 10 Golden Globes, 14 SAG Awards and 11 People’s Choice Awards.
All 236 episodes of “Friends” are currently available for streaming on HBO Max. According to Variety, the media conglomerate paid more than $400 million for the rights to the series.