The movie Troop Beverly Hills is a darling of the 1990s. It premiered in 1989 but didn't gain a wide following until it was replayed over many years. The movie combined a sad divorce story with optimistic personal growth and group bonding endeavors.
Shelley Long already had fans when she played Phyllis Nefler, but viewers today still think of her in the red-headed role. Three decades after she signs up to lead her daughter's troop, Phyllis is back and ready to party for a reboot. A few unexpected rumors and fan theories will excite even the most skeptical fan of the original film.
Phyllis Nefler In Charge Of LA County Wilderness Girls
Many avid fans assume that Phyllis Nefler would inherit Frances Temple's position, overseeing all the troops in LA County. With her daughter all grown up, this job would give Phyllis a creative outlet and a way to help people. But what if she is the National Director, instead? Entertainment Tonight reported that Shelley Long liked that idea and said, "She went back with her husband, they got married again and had another child."
Hannah Nefler Is Coming Home After Her Gym Closes
In a 2013 article, Annie Barrett at Entertainment Weekly suggests that Hannah Nefler has spent the last few decades building up her business in the gymnastics industry. When her gymnastics studio closes down, Hannah packs her bags and heads back to Los Angeles to be with her family and her old friends from the troop.
This isn't a bad idea, and it could create a natural reintroduction for Phyllis's daughter. Maybe Hannah even channels Jenny Lewis's talent to sing in a band, too.
Nefler's Mufflers Closes, TikTok Venture Opens
The Entertainment Weekly article also suggests that the economic downturn will have closed Freddy Nefler's doors for good. Freddy has made his living as "The Muffler Man." Mufflers are great and all, but after his business ends, The Muffler Man needs a little more income. In the original film, the Wilderness Girls spread some joy at a nursing home by dancing to "The Freddie." A Vulture article suggests that this dance is great for TikTok. It could be Freddy's new venture: make cool TikToks of Freddy dancing the Freddie.
Sony Has A Script, But It Needs Work
At their 2019 Entertainment Tonight reunion, some of the Troop Beverly Hills girls reminisced about their work on the film. Talk naturally turned to a potential sequel, and Betty Thomas, who played Velda Plendor, said, "I think we should do it. I actually know that Sony has a script over there." Thomas clarified that the script was "not quite good enough yet" at the time. With so many reboots flooding the market, a good script is critical.
Betty Thomas (Velda) Could Have Directed It
Although Oran Zegman will be directing the Tri-Star film, Betty Thomas showed great enthusiasm for directing a sequel at the 2019 reunion. Thomas divulged at the time that she knew someone who was "going in to pitch it with the idea that [Thomas] would direct it" while the unnamed person would do the rewrite. All major news outlets report that the screenplay is by Aeysha Carr, with Tamera Chestna's rewrite. It's not clear exactly how those decisions were made.
A Long Time Coming For Actors & Fans
Troop Beverly Hills really became a cult classic in the decades that followed its release. For many fans, the rebooted comedy is a long-awaited dream. Shelley Long even confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that Sony had possessed the script for a long time. Thirty years is a good bit of time to let something percolate, so here's hoping that any script out there is really good by now.
The Old Wilderness Girls Might Have Retired
Even former child stars still feel connected to the characters they play, in some cases. Unfortunately, the original cast of Wilderness Girls might not be invited to take over the whole reboot to sing "Cookie Time." Shelley Long told Entertainment Tonight, "They're talking about a new cast...We could have some cameos!" Cameos are a nice touch, but fans want the old cast to be more involved.
If they do get to play a larger part, it sounds like many of the girls predict that they would take after their movie parents in their careers. Tori Spelling, however, wants to work with Troop Beverly Hills instead of those bratty Culver City Red Feathers she grew up with.
The Girls Have An Annual Reunion On Chica's Birthday
Chica Barnfell (Carla Gugino) is left to her own devices when her wealthy parents travel the world without her. One of the sweetest scenes of the 1989 movie is when Phyllis and Rosa give Chica a birthday party. The poor girl's parents jet off to Monte Carlo and forget all about her. Entertainment Weekly jokingly (but sweetly) teased the idea that the Wilderness Girls gather around Chica to celebrate her birthday with her every year.