No, Matthew Perry did not officially write the screenplay for the movie 17 Again. The credited screenwriter for the film is Jason Filardi.
Despite not holding the official writing credit, Matthew Perry, who was also known for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends, did have a significant creative connection to the film's development.
Understanding the Authorship of 17 Again
The creation of a film involves many talented individuals, and while one person holds the official screenplay credit, others often contribute ideas, early drafts, or creative input.
- Official Credit: The screenplay for 17 Again is attributed to Jason Filardi.
- Matthew Perry's Involvement: Matthew Perry himself stated he had a strong hand in the project's early stages. He mentioned that he "wrote it for myself" with the initial intention of playing the lead role. However, he later realized he was "20 years too old" for the character who reverts to a 17-year-old, leading to Zac Efron being cast in the younger version of the role. Perry did, however, have a small part in the film, playing Mike O'Donnell's best friend, Ned Gold.
This indicates that while Filardi is the credited writer, Perry played an instrumental role in conceiving or developing an early version of the story or script.
Key Details About 17 Again
- Release Year: 2009
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy
- Director: Burr Steers
- Starring: Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Thomas Lennon, Michelle Trachtenberg, Sterling Knight, and Matthew Perry.
- Plot Overview: The story follows Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry), a man whose life isn't going as planned. He wishes he could redo his life and is suddenly transformed back into his 17-year-old self (Zac Efron), getting a second chance to fix his mistakes.
Breakdown of Writing Contributions
To clarify the roles, consider the following:
| Role | Individual(s) | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Credited Screenplay | Jason Filardi | Wrote the final version of the script officially used for the film. |
| Creative Input | Matthew Perry | Stated he "wrote it for myself," indicating significant early development or conceptualization, and initially intended to star. |
While Matthew Perry's statement highlights his personal investment and creative origin of the idea, the official record shows Jason Filardi as the screenwriter.
