Some movies are so deeply embedded in pop culture that stepping into their world feels less like acting and more like auditioning for the approval of an entire generation. 13 Going on 30 is certainly one of them. Jennifer Garner’s charming performance as Jenna Rink helped turn the 2004 romantic comedy into a beloved classic, complete with wishing dust, Razzles, and the unforgettable promise of being “30, flirty, and thriving.”

Now, Netflix is preparing to introduce the story to a new generation, and expectations are understandably sky-high. After all, remaking a fan favorite comes with its own peculiar Hollywood curse: audiences want something fresh, but dare anyone change too much, and the nostalgia police are already on the case.

For Emily Bader, the prospect of living up to that legacy was enough to inspire some serious nerves. And while the pressure might sound daunting, a little advice from the woman who made the role famous turned out to be surprisingly helpful.

Emily Bader, best known for My Lady Jane and Netflix's People We Meet on Vacation, is taking on the role of Jenna Rink in the upcoming 13 Going on 30 reboot, with Logan Lerman stepping into the role of Matt Flamhaff, originally played by Mark Ruffalo.

Speaking to E! News at the Airbnb.org Gala on October 28, Bader admitted that the responsibility initially got to her.

"I was paranoid a little bit. I was like, ‘OK, I have to make sure—I want to live up to this,’” she said. Considering how many fans have revisited the original film over the years, the nerves are hardly surprising.

Fortunately, Jennifer Garner has been supportive throughout the process. Bader recalled receiving some advice from the original Jenna herself while talking with E! News.

“She said, ‘My only advice for you is to have the best summer of your life,’” Bader recalled. “And then I hung up and I was like, ‘That's terrible advice. What do I do with that?,’” Bader shared.

Garner also serves as an executive producer on the reboot, which is being directed by Brett Haley. While the plot remains under wraps, Bader hopes the new film can capture the original's magic for a fresh audience.

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And if Garner's generosity toward her successor is anything to go by, the Hollywood veteran seems happy to pass the Razzles along. 

Jennifer Garner is embracing the reboot as an opportunity to keep the original film’s magic alive while honoring the people who made it special. Speaking to E! News' Erin Lim Rhodes at the Los Angeles premiere of The Five Star Weekend in July, she reflected on the legacy of director Gary Winick, who died of brain cancer after the original film wrapped.

“It just makes me so happy,” Garner said, expressing how meaningful it was to see that legacy continue. 

Garner, who serves as an executive producer on the Netflix project, has also been happy to pass the baton to Bader, calling her “adorable.” Although she admitted she does not know exactly what changes the reboot will bring, she believes audiences will have a blast watching it. That vote of confidence should offer some comfort to fans who are understandably protective of their beloved rom-com. 

Garner's support for the next generation of filmmakers and performers also echoes a recent Hollywood twist involving her former husband, Ben Affleck, where he revealed how he wanted her to be a part of his Netflix thriller Animals. 

With Garner cheering from behind the scenes, Bader has a little extra encouragement as she takes on Jenna Rink. Now, all that remains is to see whether the reboot can make a new generation feel just as 30, flirty, and thriving as the original did.

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Are you excited to see Emily Bader as Jenna in Netflix's 13 Going on 30 reboot? Let us know in the comments.