Mira Sorvino is opening up about reuniting with Lisa Kudrow for the long-awaited sequel to their 1997 cult classic, and she’s making it clear that their on-screen chemistry was never an accident.
In a recent interview, the Oscar-winning actress heaped praise on her former co-star, calling Kudrow a “great acting partner” as the two prepare to bring Romy White and Michele Weinberger back to the big screen. Sorvino emphasized that the duo’s natural rapport, honed over decades of friendship, is a key reason their original misadventures still resonate with audiences nearly three decades later.
“We just clicked from the very first read-through,” Sorvino recalled. “Lisa has this incredible ability to be completely ridiculous and utterly grounded at the same time, which is exactly what Michele needed to be. She made every scene better, and I think that’s why people still love these characters.”
The original film, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, follows two not-too-bright party girls who, desperate to impress their former classmates, hatch a plan to attend their ten-year reunion in style. Armed with a borrowed Jaguar, flashy new outfits, and a fabricated story about inventing Post-it notes, they descend on their alma mater - only for their elaborate façade to unravel in spectacular fashion.
Released on April 25, 1997, the comedy ran a tight 92 minutes under the direction of David Mirkin, who helmed the project from a script that balanced broad humor with genuine heart. The film boasted a stacked ensemble cast, including Janeane Garofalo as the acerbic Heather Mooney, Alan Cumming as the shy and now-wealthy Sandy Frink, Julia Campbell as the sneering Christy Masters, and Mia Cottet, Kristin Bauer, and Elaine Hendrix rounding out the memorable clique of former classmates.
Critics were lukewarm at the time, with the film earning a modest TMDb rating of 6.251/10, but audiences took a different view. The movie found a second life on home video and cable, eventually becoming a touchstone for anyone who ever felt like an outsider at their own high school reunion. Its blend of slapstick silliness and surprisingly poignant moments about friendship and self-acceptance gave it staying power that many bigger studio comedies of the era never achieved.
Sorvino believes that longevity comes down to the film’s core truth, hidden beneath all the leopard print and glittery accessories. “At its heart, it’s about two women who have each other’s backs no matter how dumb their plans are,” she explained. “That kind of unconditional friendship doesn’t age. It’s timeless. The clothes are dated, the music is dated, but the bond between Romy and Michele is something everyone can relate to.”
The actress also noted that the sequel, officially titled Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion 2, isn’t just a nostalgia cash grab. She hinted that the new script, which she and Kudrow have been attached to for years, finds a fresh angle on the characters while keeping the spirit of the original intact. “We’ve grown up, and so have they, sort of,” Sorvino laughed. “They’re still not the sharpest tools in the shed, but they’ve learned a few things. And of course, they’re still each other’s anchors.”
The sequel has been in development for years, with various drafts and false starts, but Sorvino’s recent comments suggest the project is finally moving forward with real momentum. She credited Kudrow’s involvement as essential to making it work. “There was never a version of this that felt right without Lisa,” she said. “She’s not just my co-star; she’s a collaborator. We’ve been through so much together, and that trust shows up on screen. You can’t fake that kind of shorthand.”
Fans of the original have spent the last two decades debating everything from the film’s fashion choices to whether Romy and Michele ever truly deserved their happy endings. Sorvino says she understands the passionate response. “People see themselves in these characters,” she said. “They see their own awkward teenage years, their own insecurities, and their own best friends. That’s why it’s survived. It’s not just a comedy; it’s a love letter to friendship.”
As production on the sequel gears up, Sorvino is keeping details close to the vest, but she did offer one promise. “We’re going to give the fans what they want,” she said. “And we’re going to have a lot of fun doing it.” With Kudrow by her side, it seems the wait for Romy and Michele’s latest reunion may finally be coming to an end.
Source: Deadline
