Last month, fans of “Friends” were thrilled to receive the confirmation they had been eagerly awaiting: a reunion special is officially in the works, 16 years after the show’s emotional final episode aired.
The excitement has only intensified thanks to artist Ard Gelinck, who has created stunning portraits of the beloved cast members—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matthew Perry, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and Lisa Kudrow—appearing alongside their younger selves. The photoshopped images are nothing short of mind-blowing, showcasing how little the cast seems to have aged.
One particularly striking image features 51-year-old Jennifer Aniston smiling next to a throwback picture of herself, demonstrating that the actress who brought Rachel Green to life has barely aged a day. Similarly, David Schwimmer, now 53, is shown in both his present-day and earlier appearances in a suit, while Lisa Kudrow, at 56, is depicted in matching green outfits from different decades. These remarkable images have only fueled the nostalgia and excitement for the reunion.
The long-awaited special is set to air in May, and fans will be delighted to know that the Central Perk gang will be coming together for a one-off event. Kevin Reilly, HBO Max’s chief content officer, confirmed the news with enthusiasm. He said, “Guess you could call this the one where they all got back together—we are reuniting with David, Jennifer, Courteney, Matt, Lisa, and Matthew for an HBO Max special that will be programmed alongside the entire Friends library.” Reilly reflected on the show’s enduring appeal, noting its ability to bring people together and expressing hope that the reunion will capture that same spirit for both original and new fans.
Ben Winston, who will direct the special, is also serving as an executive producer alongside Friends veterans Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane. The cast members are reportedly set to earn a substantial sum for their participation, with Variety reporting that they could make at least $2.5 million (£1.9 million) each.
Courteney Cox has been particularly vocal about the reunion, stirring up excitement with her remarks. In an appearance on Kevin Nealon’s “Hiking with Kevin” series, she shared her enthusiasm, saying, “So the exciting thing is that we’re all going to get together for the first time, in a room, and actually talk about the show. We’re going to have the best time. It’s going to be great. But we really haven’t all done that and actually sat there and talked about and reminisced about this incredible experience that we had.”
As the reunion draws near, the anticipation continues to build, with fans eagerly awaiting a chance to reconnect with their favorite characters and relive the magic of “Friends” once more.