Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino made a surprise appearance at Disney’s D23 fan event on August 14, 2026, to share exciting news about the long-awaited sequel to their 1997 cult comedy Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion . The duo took the stage at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, during the Disney Entertainment Showcase. Dressed in matching white outfits, they slipped back into their famous Valley girl characters to give fans a first look at what is coming.
The actresses confirmed that the sequel is currently in production and will stream exclusively on Hulu in the United States, with a Disney+ release planned for international audiences. The original film, which followed two best friends who lied about inventing Post-it notes to impress their high school classmates, has become a beloved cult classic over the years.
The D23 Appearance
Kudrow and Sorvino arrived on stage to a flurry of yellow Post-It notes — a clever nod to the original movie’s most memorable plot point. They immediately fell back into character, speaking with their signature vocal inflections and updating fans on where Romy and Michele are now.
“We still own our boutique in Beverly Hills,” Sorvino said, referring to her character Romy White.
“It’s, like… really chic,” Kudrow added as Michele Weinberger.
The pair then made a joke that got the crowd laughing. “We’re officially Disney princesses,” Kudrow said while staying in character. Sorvino quickly added, “I always knew we had princess energy”. The comment was a playful reference to the fact that Disney now owns the franchise through 20th Century Studios.
Sorvino also hinted that romance could be on the horizon for the longtime best friends. “Maybe it’s time for us to find true love,” she teased. Kudrow followed up with, “But will we find any? You’ll just have to watch to find out”.
What the Sequel Is About
The new movie picks up roughly 30 years after the events of the original film. Romy and Michele still own their boutique in Beverly Hills, and fashion remains a big part of their lives. But this time, the story centers on them attending a former classmate’s wedding.
The experience makes the two friends think about whether they have spent so much time on their careers and friendship that they forgot about finding love. The sequel will explore their search for romantic relationships while keeping their signature style and humor intact.
Costume designer Mona May, who worked on the 1997 film, is returning to create the looks for the sequel. Fans can also expect another dance sequence. Kudrow and Sorvino teased a new routine that serves as a companion to their famous performance of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time” from the original movie. Sorvino described it as “more joyful” than the first one.
Returning Cast Members
Several actors from the original film are coming back for the sequel. Janeane Garofalo will return as Heather, Alan Cumming will reprise his role as Sandy Frink, Camryn Manheim is back as Toby, and Julia Campbell returns as Christie. Cumming’s character Sandy Frink, who had a romantic connection with Michele in the first film, now apparently has a platonic relationship with her.
New Faces Joining the Cast
The sequel has also added several new actors to the lineup. Keegan-Michael Key joins the cast as Michele’s new romantic interest. Rob Huebel will play Romy’s new love interest. Other new cast members include Breckin Meyer, Patrick Warburton, Nathan Lee Graham, Anna Baryshnikov, and Sofia Wylie.
Most recently, Wendi McLendon-Covey, known for her roles in St. Denis Medical and The Goldbergs, joined the cast. Her character details have not been revealed yet.
Behind the Scenes
Tim Federle is directing the sequel, with Robin Schiff returning to write the screenplay. Schiff also wrote the original 1997 film. Federle is also producing alongside Laurence Mark, who produced the original movie. Kudrow, Sorvino, and Schiff are serving as executive producers.
Production on the sequel began in June 2026 in Los Angeles. 20th Century Studios shared a photo on Instagram of Kudrow and Sorvino sitting in director’s chairs with the title “Romy and Michele 2” on them. The studio wrote, “The reunion you’ve been waiting for! The Romy and Michele sequel is now in production”.
Sorvino expressed her excitement in the comments, writing, “It’s finally happening. Bursting with joy to be ‘reunited!’”
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The Actors Share Their Feelings
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE at D23, Kudrow and Sorvino opened up about their initial nerves before returning to their famous roles. Kudrow, 63, admitted she was worried she might not be able to authentically capture Michele again.
“I was very nervous,” Kudrow said. “[I was thinking], ‘Oh no — am I just doing an imitation of Michele? Because that’s the fear sometimes with revisiting [roles]’”.
Sorvino, 58, agreed completely.
“The first day it was like, ‘Wait, am I just imitating things Romy used to do or say? … And then eventually it was like, ‘Yeah, Romy’s back. She’s using my skin suit,’” Sorvino said.
The two also spoke about their real-life friendship, which has lasted for decades. Kudrow joked that they work well together because “we’re both tall”. Sorvino called Kudrow “super smart” and “the funniest woman”. Kudrow pointed out that Sorvino went to Harvard and speaks Chinese.
“I come to Lisa for advice,” Sorvino said. “She’s an incredibly sage, brilliant person. And she’s funny, thoughtful, and just a great person”.
The Journey to a Sequel
Plans for a follow-up to Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion were first reported in January 2025. At that time, both actresses were in final talks to return. Interest in a sequel grew after Kudrow and Sorvino reunited to present at the SAG Awards in 2022.
The original film was released in 1997 by Disney’s Buena Vista and was considered only a modest success at the time. But over the years, it gained a strong following and became a cult classic. Fans have been asking for a sequel ever since.
During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, Kudrow confirmed that “there’s a really funny script, and things are kind of moving toward it”.
Release Information
Romy and Michele 2 will be released as a Hulu Original in the United States. International audiences will be able to watch it on Disney+. A specific release date has not been announced yet. Unlike the first movie, which had a theatrical release, the sequel is going straight to streaming.
Also Read: Disney’s Live-Action Tangled Movie Sets March 2028 Release Date With First Look at D23
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