Dolly Parton might have worked 9 to 5 in the ’80s, but she’s not clocking in for overtime this time around.
The country queen made it clear she won’t be returning on screen for Jennifer Aniston’s upcoming 9 to 5 remake. And while that might disappoint fans who still watch the original on loop, Dolly’s got no problem stepping back and letting the next generation have their moment.
“We have no plans to be in that,” Dolly told HuffPost in a recent interview. And yeah, it stings a little. But in true Dolly fashion, the reason isn’t some big drama, it’s honesty. “We’re not gonna look that good on the big screen,” she said. “All of us up there with all those beautiful young fresh people, so I don’t know.”
That’s Dolly for you. Always keeping it real, always keeping it classy.
Aniston is the force behind this new version, with Oscar-winning writer Diablo Cody writing the script. While it’s not official yet, all signs point to a modernized take on workplace chaos, something the original nailed with humor and heart. But if you’re expecting Dolly, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin to pop up for nostalgia’s sake, you’ll be waiting a while.
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Still, Dolly isn’t just walking away without helping out. She’s already told Aniston the door’s wide open when it comes to the music. “You’re more than welcome to use my song “9 to 5” and if you need some additional songs or if you need the 9 to 5 song rewritten or reworked I’ll do that,” she said. Basically, the spirit of the original lives on even if Doralee Rhodes doesn’t.
And that might be the most Dolly move of all. Instead of trying to hang onto the spotlight, she’s passing the torch like a damn legend. Let the new cast take the reins but make no mistake, the backbone of this reboot is still all her.
Of course, this isn’t the only reboot she’s quietly tied to. Dolly was one of the behind-the-scenes producers of the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie, and now she’s involved in the reboot through her production company, Sandollar Productions. She says she’ll be as involved as needed or as she can be, which probably means more than folks realize.
So, is it a bummer she’s not putting on the iconic secretary outfit again? Sure. But anyone expecting Dolly to act like she’s still 34 in 2025 probably missed the point of her entire career. She’s always known when to evolve when to bow out, and when to sing the hell out of a goodbye tune.
As for who should play her in the new version? Dolly’s not worried. Some great person will show up and crush it. She’s not here to compete, she’s here to contribute. That’s why she’s still a force in music, film, and business all these years later, because she knows when to show up and when to let others shine.
Dolly Parton won’t be back in the office, but her voice, literally and figuratively, will be all over this thing. And somehow, that feels just right.
