Imagine the sting of pouring your heart into a dream project, only to have Hollywood slam the door in your face— that's exactly what Bette Midler is opening up about, right on the heels of a devastating loss that has fans reeling.
For years, the iconic trio of Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and the late Diane Keaton fought tirelessly to bring a sequel to life for the beloved 1996 hit comedy The First Wives Club. This sharp-witted film followed three women seeking revenge on their ex-husbands after being discarded in midlife, blending humor with empowering themes that resonated deeply with audiences. But just last week, Keaton's sudden passing from pneumonia at age 79 shattered any lingering hopes, leaving her co-stars to reflect on what might have been.
During the October 16 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Midler didn't hold back as she shared the exhaustive efforts the group made to revive the project. 'We kept pushing and pushing, all three of us together and even on our own,' she explained passionately. 'We rallied producers, brainstormed ideas, and left no stone unturned. But Paramount just wouldn't budge—they seemed completely uninterested, and it felt like a real slap in the face.'
Midler didn't mince words about the rejection: 'They simply weren't into it, and honestly, it left us feeling deeply offended.' And here's where it gets controversial—could this be a classic case of a major studio undervaluing a female-driven story in favor of safer bets? It's a debate that's raged in Hollywood for decades, sparking questions about gender dynamics in the industry.
This candid revelation hit especially hard coming so soon after Keaton's family shared the tragic news of her death. Midler, her voice filled with genuine warmth, paid a touching tribute: 'I've always been in awe of her. Diane was one-of-a-kind, utterly authentic in a way that's impossible to replicate. I'd go home after scenes and try to mimic her quirky style—the way she moved and spoke with such effortless charm—but I could never quite capture it. Others have come close, like in her memorable roles in Annie Hall or Something's Gotta Give, but no one has ever embodied that pure, sparkling essence she brought to everything.' For beginners dipping into classic films, Keaton's Oscar-winning performance in Annie Hall is a perfect starting point—it's a rom-com that redefined vulnerability and wit on screen.
Reflecting on their time together, Midler fondly recalled the joy of filming The First Wives Club, which even earned an Academy Award nomination for its catchy original score. 'That set was pure magic,' she said with a laugh. 'Working with Goldie and Diane had me in stitches from dawn till dusk. I'd be doubled over, tears streaming from laughing so hard. It was, without a doubt, the most exhilarating experience of my career.' And this is the part most people miss: behind the glamour, these collaborations often create lifelong bonds that make the unfulfilled dreams even more poignant.
Thankfully, not all sequel dreams go unfulfilled. Midler beamed when talking about how Disney finally greenlit Hocus Pocus 2 after a whopping 30-year wait, released in 2022 to nostalgic cheers. 'We hounded them relentlessly,' she shared. 'Pushing the strong box office stats from the original and begging for another shot at those witchy antics.' For those unfamiliar, the first Hocus Pocus is a Halloween staple about three resurrected witches causing chaos in modern-day Salem—lighthearted fun that's become a cult favorite.
As for the future, Midler teased updates on Hocus Pocus 3: 'They've sent over a script, and parts of it are absolutely genius, which has me buzzing with excitement. Right now, we're hashing out the details—like the storyline's direction, filming locations, budget, and all the practical stuff that turns a script into reality.'
Watch What Happens Live airs Sundays through Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo, with next-day streaming on Peacock. It's the kind of show that pulls back the curtain on celebrity life in a fun, unfiltered way.
But let's talk bigger picture: Is Paramount's refusal to sequel The First Wives Club a missed opportunity that highlights ongoing biases against women over 50 in comedy, or just smart business in a changing market? What do you think—should studios take more risks on these empowering stories, or has the time for that era passed? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're team 'sequel now' or if there's another side to this Hollywood saga.
