Netflix‘s reimagining of 13 Going on 30 just got even more exciting.
Taylor Zakhar Perez has officially joined the cast of the upcoming reboot, adding another fan-favorite name to one of the streamer’s most anticipated romantic comedies. The Red, White & Royal Blue star joins a cast that already includes Jessica Alba, Logan Lerman, Emily Bader, Adeline Rudolph, Taylor Ortega, Tim Meadows, and Dan Bucatinsky.
Production is already underway in Los Angeles after cameras began rolling last month, though Netflix is keeping nearly every major story detail under wraps.
For now, fans will have to settle for speculation, and perhaps revisit their favorite “Thriller” dance sequence while they wait.
A Fresh Take on a Beloved Rom-Com
Released in 2004, 13 Going on 30 became an enduring favorite thanks to its heartfelt blend of comedy, romance, and wish-fulfillment fantasy. Jennifer Garner starred as Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old who makes an innocent birthday wish and wakes up in the body of her 30-year-old self. As adult Jenna attempts to navigate a life she doesn’t recognize, she slowly discovers what truly matters, and who she’s meant to be with.
Mark Ruffalo co-starred as childhood best friend Matt Flamhaff, helping turn the film into one of the defining romantic comedies of the early 2000s.
While the upcoming project revisits that world, it is being positioned as a reimagining rather than a direct remake.
Garner isn’t returning in front of the camera, but she remains closely involved as an executive producer, helping shepherd a new generation of the story that made Jenna Rink’s dream house, magazine career, and iconic outfits part of pop culture.
Taylor Zakhar Perez Joins an Expanding Cast
Netflix has yet to reveal who Taylor Zakhar Perez will portray, and the same mystery surrounds the roles of Jessica Alba, Adeline Rudolph, and several other cast members.
Emily Bader and Logan Lerman are set to lead the film, though details about their characters remain tightly guarded.
Perez has quickly become one of today’s breakout stars following Red, White & Royal Blue, making his addition especially exciting for audiences eager to see him return to the platform. With Alba making a rare return to the romantic comedy space and Lerman joining the ensemble, the reboot is assembling a cast that blends established stars with rising talent.
The secrecy has only fueled curiosity about how closely the new film will follow the original story, or whether it will chart an entirely different path.
The Creative Team Behind the Reboot
The film is directed by Brett Haley, who recently earned Emmy recognition for directing Netflix’s adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation.
Hannah Marks wrote the screenplay, with revisions by Flora Greeson.
Behind the scenes, Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum are producing for RK Films. Executive producers include Jennifer Garner, Donna Roth, Susan Arnold, Scott Hemming for Revolution Studios, and Alyssa Altman for RK Films.
Although Netflix has shared little about the story itself, Haley has made it clear that honoring the original is a priority.
“13 Going on 30 is one of those rare, perfect films,” Haley told Deadline. “Funny, emotional, deeply human, with unforgettable performances from Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Judy Greer. I’m a longtime fan, so stepping into this reimagining comes with tremendous responsibility.”
His comments suggest the reboot aims to capture the heart of the original while introducing its own perspective rather than simply recreating familiar scenes.
When Could the Film Premiere?
Netflix hasn’t announced a release date, but production began in Los Angeles in June 2026, making a 2027 debut the most likely scenario.
Whether the film lands during the summer movie season or arrives as a fall streaming event remains to be seen. Until then, the studio appears committed to keeping its biggest surprises under wraps.
One thing is already clear, though: with Taylor Zakhar Perez joining an ensemble that includes Jessica Alba, Logan Lerman, and Emily Bader, and Jennifer Garner helping guide the project behind the scenes, the new 13 Going on 30 is shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most closely watched reboots.
For longtime fans, it’s another chance to revisit one of the most beloved romantic comedies of the 2000s. And for a new audience, it could be their first invitation to discover why everyone has wanted to be “thirty, flirty, and thriving” for more than two decades.
