Jessica Alba has joined the cast of Netflix‘s upcoming 13 Going on 30 Reboot, according to media reports. The 45-year-old actress becomes the latest name added to the growing cast for the reimagining of the beloved 2004 romantic comedy.
Jessica Alba‘s character details, along with the film’s full plot, are being kept under wraps for now. She confirmed the news herself on Instagram, writing that she was thrilled to be part of the reimagining of such an iconic film alongside such a talented cast and crew. This marks Alba’s second project with Netflix after she previously starred in and executive produced the action film Trigger Warning for the streamer.
The original 13 Going on 30 followed Jenna Rink, a 13-year-old girl who wishes to grow up after being humiliated at her own birthday party, only to wake up the next morning as a 30-year-old magazine editor. Jennifer Garner played the grown-up Jenna, while Christa B. Allen portrayed her younger self. The film also starred Mark Ruffalo as her best friend and eventual love interest, along with Judy Greer and Andy Serkis in supporting roles. Released by Sony in 2004, the film went on to earn about $96 million worldwide and has remained a favourite among fans of early-2000s romantic comedies. Its memorable “Thriller” dance sequence, performed by Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo at a work party, remains one of the film’s most iconic moments more than two decades later.
Jessica Alba joins previously announced cast members Emily Bader and Logan Lerman, who are set to lead the reboot, along with Adeline Rudolph in a supporting role. According to reports, the new film reimagines the lead characters as Grace and Ollie, with Bader playing the adult Grace and Lerman playing Ollie. The story is said to retain the original’s “magic wishing dust” premise while introducing a more contemporary setting, including an updated family dynamic for the lead character. Jennifer Garner, who played Jenna in the original film, is returning as an executive producer on the new version.
The reboot is being directed by Brett Haley, reuniting him with Emily Bader after they worked together on Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation, which spent four weeks in the platform’s Global Top 10. The screenplay is written by Hannah Marks, with revisions by Flora Greeson. Speaking about the project, Haley described the original as one of those rare, perfect films and said taking on the reimagining comes with a great deal of responsibility because of what it means to so many fans. He added that having Jennifer Garner return as an executive producer means a great deal, given how central she was to what made the original so special.
The film is being produced by Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum for RK Films, with Garner serving as executive producer alongside Donna Roth, Susan Arnold, Scott Hemming, and Alyssa Altman.
Filming on the reboot began in Los Angeles on June 23, 2026, with production expected to wrap in mid-August. The project is being filmed entirely in Los Angeles under a significant California tax credit, reflecting the scale of the production. Netflix has also been casting the younger versions of the two lead characters, with casting notes describing the 13-year-old Grace as someone quietly desperate to reconnect with her former group of friends after a fallout.
Netflix is assembling an impressive cast for its 13 Going on 30 reboot, with Jessica Alba joining Logan Lerman, Emily Bader, and Adeline Rudolph, while Jennifer Garner returns as an executive producer. More casting announcements and story details are likely to be revealed as production continues.
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