13 Going on 30

Lore & Background

In October 2002, director Gary Winick was in negotiations to direct 13 Going on 30. Jennifer Garner was cast for the lead role, shooting the film while on break from her television series Alias. Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Swank, and Renée Zellweger were also considered for the lead. Judy Greer was cast as Lucy, Kathy Baker and Phil Reeves as Garner's parents, Andy Serkis as her boss, and Samuel Ball as her boyfriend. Filming began in May 2003 in Los Angeles, with additional exteriors shot in New York City and South Pasadena, California. Principal photography took place from May to November 2003. The script was written by Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, with a polish by Niels Mueller, who lost an initial writing credit in a subsequent dispute arbitrated by the Writers Guild of America. Mark Ruffalo almost left the project during rehearsals of the 'Thriller scene' dance due to hating the rehearsal process and taking a long time to perfect the choreography.

Reader's Guide

13 Going on 30 is significant as a commercially successful fantasy romantic comedy that resonated with audiences through its nostalgic 1980s soundtrack and self-empowering message. The film earned $22 million in its first week and over $96 million total at the box office, becoming one of the year's biggest-selling DVD rental titles. Its soundtrack charted inside the top 50 on the US Billboard 200. Garner's performance earned her nominations from both the MTV Movie Awards and the Teen Choice Awards. The film's plot—a 13-year-old girl in 1987 who wakes up as a 30-year-old fashion editor in 2004—allowed for humorous exploration of adult life through a teenage perspective. The film was later announced for a Broadway adaptation in October 2016, with an estimated debut in late 2017, though plans did not move forward. Christa B. Allen, who played young Jenna, later reprised her role as a younger version of Garner in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009).

Did You Know?

• Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Swank, and Renée Zellweger were all considered for the lead role before Jennifer Garner was cast.
• Mark Ruffalo almost left the project during rehearsals of the 'Thriller scene' dance because he hated the rehearsal process.
• Christa B. Allen, who played 13-year-old Jenna, later portrayed a younger version of Garner in Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (2009).
• The film was announced for a Broadway adaptation in October 2016, but plans did not move forward.