Friends reunion special is likely to film virtually if production delays continue. Nevertheless, the episode will share never-before-seen footage featuring all six cast members.
HBO Max revealed previously that a Friends cast reunion will premiere alongside the streaming service’s launch on May 27. However, due to the unprecedented global health threat, there have been changes made regarding the upcoming show.
Production delayed due to the pandemic
Amid the global pandemic, Friends special reunion is adjusting its filming schedule just like other forthcoming titles. The show was originally slated to start shooting on late March. However, it will now commence after summer.
Because of this delay in production, the Friends reunion special will not be readily available on HBO Max when the new streaming platform goes live on May 27. Nevertheless, the team are looking to release the episode by Thanksgiving after initial delays.
One of the show’s producer revealed,
“Tentatively speaking, we’re hoping that the special will be completed by Thanksgiving and that the show will be seen on HBO Max at that time.”
Friends Reunion Won't Tape Until There Can Be a Live Audience: 'It’s Worth Waiting for' https://t.co/mRqfSYroFX
— People (@people) May 12, 2020
The show is likely to film virtually
The bad news doesn’t stop there either. Grenblatt revealed that if social distancing and quarantine directives are not lifted sooner, the show may proceed to a virtual route. Nevertheless, the chairman is still hopeful that the Friends special will have the opportunity it deserves— to be taped in front of a live audience.
He stated,
“We do think there’s a value to having a big, raucous live audience to experience these six great friends coming back together. We didn’t want to just suddenly do it on a web call with, you know, six squares and people shooting from their kitchens and bedrooms.”
The show will feature never-before-seen footages
Despite of all these bad news, there is still something great for fans to look forward to in this upcoming show. Executive producer, Kevin Bright shared that the reunion will be an unscripted episode featuring the cast getting nostalgic about the show. He added,
“It’s not them putting on the old characters and doing a new version of Friends.”
On top of that, the special will include some never-before-seen footage, such as alternative takes of famous scenes. Bright further teased,
“We have every piece of footage we ever shot on Friends.”
The highly anticipated Friends get together will feature all six original cast members. This includes Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Matthew Perry.
‘Friends’ Reunion Special for HBO Max Likely to Film at End of Summer https://t.co/oXfV6UNs8E
— Variety (@Variety) May 11, 2020
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