Report: '9 to 5' movie sequel in works, may star Dolly Parton, Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda

Dolly Parton’s dream of a “9 to 5” movie sequel appears to be on the fast track to reality, according to Deadline Hollywood.

Deadline.com reports that original “9 to 5” screenwriter Patricia Resnick is in talks to collaborate with a younger writer, possibly actress Rashida Jones, to create a sequel to the 1980 film that “can make the concept relevant to a young comedy audience.”

Although the headlines of the new film would likely be three young women dealing with workplace sexism, the online magazine also reports that original stars Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin are game to appear in the sequel. The story did not say if they would reprise their original roles or play new characters.

In the original film, Parton, Fonda and Tomlin played subordinates to a chauvinistic boss (played by Dabney Coleman) who verbally abused them, passed over Tomlin’s character for a promotion in favor of a less-qualified man and routinely sexually harassed Parton’s character, Doralee.

Eventually the women abducted their boss and held him captive as they worked out a plan to expose his corruption.

Parton was nominated for a Golden Globe award as “Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy of Musical.” She also wrote the film’s titular theme song, which was nominated for best original song at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes and which won two Grammys (Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance – Female).

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Parton, who has frequently expressed interest in a “9 To 5” sequel, went on to write the music and lyrics for “9 to 5: The Musical,” which opened on Broadway in 2009 (with Megan Hilty playing the Doralee character).

In September 0f 2017, Parton, Tomlin and Fonda reunited as presenters at the Emmy Awards. Tomlin and Fonda turned their appearance into a thinly veiled slam at President Trump. “Back in 1980, in ‘9 to 5,’ we refused to be controlled by a sexist, egotistical, lying hypocritical bigot …” Fonda said, to which Tomlin added, “And in 2017, we still refuse to be controlled by a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot.”

Parton laughed along but avoid commenting on the subject, though she did say, “I have been waiting for a ‘9 to 5’ reunion ever since we did the first one.’”

Tomlin and Fonda star together in the Netflix show “Grace and Frankie,” which debuted in 2015. “9 to 5” fans have longed for a guest appearance by Parton, but to this point they’ve only been teased by rumors of her appearance.

“Grace and Frankie” was renewed for a fifth season in mid-February.