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Stars of Disney's new 'Freaky Friday' talk about the heart behind the musical movie

"Freaky Friday" is back! But not the 2003 version with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. This reboot from Disney Channel brings the same beloved body-swap plot but features a talented new cast with an exciting musical twist.

Premiering Friday, Aug. 10, "Freaky Friday" stars Cozi Zuehlsdorff as daughter Elle and Heidi Blickenstaff as mother Katherine. It'll riff off Disney Theatrical Production's stage version which was adapted from the book by Mary Rodgers.

Watch the stars talk about the upcoming movie:

What's this 'Freaky Friday' about?

Note: Minimal spoilers ahead!

Katherine (who, fun fact, is played by Blickenstaff in both the film and play) is engaged to be married to Mike, played by Alex Désert. This comes five years after Elle and younger brother Fletcher's father passed.

And while Fletcher seems relatively unconcerned by a new man in the picture, Elle isn't stoked about this father figure. Especially when the rehearsal dinner falls on the night of a high school event called "The Hunt" that she's DYING to be part of with her friends.

As it goes with "Freaky Friday" renditions, Elle and Katherine have the chance to literally stand in each other's shoes, allowing them to see things from a new perspective.

Humorous takes on real-life struggles

"Freaky Friday" executive producer Susan Cartsonis said the newest reiteration pulls new themes into a classic tale. Creators really wanted to focus on what it means to be a teenager and the challenges they face.

In some cases — such as puberty — the best way to express that was through song and dance.

Cartsonis said one of her favorite music scenes in the movie takes place in biology class, when Katherine's stuck in Elle's body and has to relive some of the feelings she thought she had way outgrown. 

But the film get surprisingly vulnerable, too. 

Cartsonis' other favorite scene — which we won't mention (because spoilers, duh) — was so emotional that, "every time we shot that scene, I had tears streaming down my face," she said.

Families also get a window into the experience of a blended family grieving the loss of a father.

"Can you stop pretending you're our dad?" Elle yells at Mike in one scene. "Because you're not!"

Zuehlsdorff said her experience on screen represents what many children deal with in real life.

"This story will help (watchers) to restore and understand how much love is between the lines of all the hard decisions that moms have to make and all the misunderstandings that teenagers go through."

What do you think?

Are you excited for the new version? Will it live up to its 1976 predecessor with Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris? Or the 2003 version?

Let us know once you watch the flick on Disney Channel, Friday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. Eastern.

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