Hold onto your hats, because Sony is once again rolling the dice on a Charlie’s Angels reboot—yes, another one. According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), the studio is developing yet another installment in this seemingly immortal franchise. But here’s where it gets controversial: How many times can you revive a property before it starts to feel like a broken record? And this is the part most people miss—despite multiple attempts, the franchise’s recent track record has been less than stellar. This time, Sony has enlisted Pete Chiarelli, known for The Proposal, to pen the script. Will this be the version that finally sticks? Only time will tell.
Charlie’s Angels has a rich—and often tumultuous—history of reboots. The original series, which aired on ABC from 1976 to 1981, starred Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith as a trio of private investigators working for the mysterious Charlie Townsend. Their boss, whose face was never seen, assigned missions via speakerphone, adding a layer of intrigue to the show. Over its five-season run, the series introduced new Angels like Cheryl Ladd, Shelley Hack, and Tanya Roberts, keeping the dynamic fresh and engaging.
Sony first brought the Angels to the big screen in 2000 with a high-octane, star-studded adaptation featuring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu. The film was a massive hit, proving that the concept still had legs. A sequel, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, followed in 2003, though it didn’t quite match the original’s success.
But the franchise’s journey hasn’t been without its missteps. In 2011, a rebooted TV series attempted to recapture the magic but was canceled after just seven episodes—a blip so brief that many fans didn’t even notice it existed. Sony tried again in 2019 with a theatrical reboot starring Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, and Ella Balinska, but this time, audiences stayed away, and the film flopped at the box office.
Speaking of Kristen Stewart, her experience with the 2019 reboot was less than ideal. Directed, written, and produced by Elizabeth Banks (who also played Bosley), the film failed to resonate with critics or audiences. Stewart later admitted she hated making the movie, recalling a cringe-worthy line from the opening scene: ‘Did you know that it takes men an additional seven seconds to perceive a woman as a threat compared to a man?’ ‘I hated making that movie,’ Stewart confessed. ‘I don’t know what else to say to you.’ However, she’s a vocal fan of the 2000 film, praising the chemistry between Diaz, Liu, and Barrymore: ‘You can’t touch [that],’ she said. ‘I love that movie!’
So, here we are again, with Sony gearing up for another attempt. But here’s the real question: Is the world ready for another Charlie’s Angels reboot? Or has the franchise run its course? Let’s be honest—the 2019 film’s failure wasn’t just about box office numbers; it was about a disconnect between the story and its audience. Can Chiarelli and Sony crack the code this time, or are they chasing a ghost?
Controversial take: Maybe the problem isn’t the franchise itself, but the reluctance to let it evolve. The original series and the 2000 film worked because they captured the spirit of their times. Perhaps instead of rehashing old ideas, Sony should focus on reinventing the Angels for a modern audience—one that demands more than just nostalgia. What do you think? Is there still room for Charlie’s Angels in today’s cinematic landscape, or should this franchise be left in the past? Sound off in the comments—we want to hear your take!
