Did ‘Friends’ cast distance themselves from a possible Matthew Perry biopic?

Rumors surrounding a potential biopic on the late actor Matthew Perry have gained momentum, but according to reports, the cast of the beloved sitcom Friends has no intention of being involved. Perry, who passed away unexpectedly in 2023, remains a cherished figure in the entertainment industry, but his co-stars reportedly find the idea of a biopic too painful, especially so soon after his death.

No Involvement from the 'Friends' Cast

The news of a potential biopic emerged after discussions reportedly surfaced regarding the development of a film based on Matthew Perry's memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, as per a report by Uproxx.

However, insiders claim that Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and Lisa Kudrow—Perry's co-stars and close friends from Friends—are unwilling to participate in any way.


A source told In Touch: "When he was alive, Matthew talked about developing a biopic based on his memoir, and there's still buzz about making a film. But Jen and the rest of the gang don't want to be involved. At all. Some people believe they’re afraid secrets will come out, but others say it’s just too painful for them to go there so soon after Matthew’s death”, as quoted in a report by Uproxx.

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Perry’s Struggles and Memoir

Matthew Perry’s memoir, released in 2022, revealed deeply personal struggles, particularly his battle with addiction during his time on Friends. His candid account included the extent of his drug and alcohol dependency and the toll it took on him throughout his career.

These revelations shocked many fans but also added depth to the public's understanding of Perry’s life behind the scenes.

Before his death, Perry expressed his hope that Zac Efron, who played a younger version of him in the film 17 Again, might portray him in a potential biopic.

Speaking to People in November 2023, Efron commented, "I'm honored to hear he was thinking of me to play him. We'll see. I'd be honored to do it."

While Efron showed interest, Perry’s sudden passing in October 2023, reportedly from an accidental drowning, left Hollywood and his Friends co-stars reeling from the loss.

Painful Memories and Sensitive Timing

For the Friends cast, the idea of reliving the more painful aspects of Perry's life, especially so soon after his death, seems to be the primary reason for their reluctance.

According to reports, the cast had initially planned a reunion at the 2024 Emmy Awards, but those plans fell through as they continued to mourn their friend privately.

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The idea of creating a film that talks about Perry’s darker moments, including his addiction and health struggles, may be too raw for his co-stars to revisit. Additionally, with the actor’s passing still fresh, some believe it’s premature to explore a biopic. The cast, along with Perry's many fans, need time to process the loss before considering any such project.

The Future of the Matthew Perry Biopic

As of now, there is no official confirmation of a Matthew Perry biopic in the works. However, speculation persists. Given Perry’s immense popularity and his legacy as an actor who touched millions through his role as Chandler Bing, the prospect of a biopic seems inevitable.

FAQs

Who is Matthew Perry's wife?
Perry held both Canadian and American citizenship. Throughout the years, he was romantically linked with Yasmine Bleeth in 1995, Julia Roberts from 1995 to 1996, and Lizzy Caplan from 2006 to 2012. In November 2020, he became engaged to literary manager Molly Hurwitz.

Did Matthew Perry have any children?
At the time of Perry's passing, he had over $1 million in personal assets, in addition to what was already held in his living trust, according to documents filed by Ferguson on March 8. The filing also noted that Perry was never married and did not have any children.