Jennifer Garner said the upcoming Netflix reboot of "13 Going on 30" will honor the original 2004 film and its late director, Gary Winick [1], [4].

The project arrives as the original movie reaches a milestone anniversary, signaling a move by streaming platforms to revitalize nostalgic properties for new audiences.

Speaking at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Five Star Weekend," Garner said that the reboot is currently filming [1]. She said that while production is underway, she has not yet had the opportunity to visit the set [1].

Garner focused on the emotional weight of the revival, specifically its connection to Gary Winick. The director of the 2004 film died of brain cancer [1], [4]. Garner said she is thrilled that the new project acknowledges his contribution to the franchise.

"I’m so excited. I’m thrilled and I feel like the legacy of our director, Gary Winick, who died of brain cancer just five years after we wrapped that movie, it just makes me so happy like, ‘Hi Gary!’" Garner said [1].

While Garner cited a five-year gap between the original wrap and Winick's death [1], other records indicate he died in 2011, approximately seven years after the film's 2004 release [4].

The original movie turned 20 years old in 2024 [4]. This anniversary coincides with the production of the Netflix reboot, which aims to maintain the spirit of the first film while updating it for a modern era.

“"It’s shooting right now, I haven’t gotten a chance to visit them on set yet."”

The decision to reboot a beloved 20-year-old property reflects a broader industry trend of leveraging 'comfort media' to drive subscriptions. By explicitly tying the new production to the legacy of the original director, Netflix is attempting to secure the goodwill of the original fanbase, ensuring the reboot is viewed as a tribute rather than a corporate replacement.