Jeff Bridges recently shared that he would be thrilled to return for a sequel to The Big Lebowski, the 1998 cult classic that turned his character, The Dude, into an iconic figure in pop culture. Speaking at a screening of the film at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, Bridges responded to a fan’s question about revisiting the role, saying, “Of course. Julianne and I would fantasize about that.” He was referring to his original co-star, Julianne Moore, who played Maude Lebowski in the film. The two have remained close since working together, even co-starring in the 2014 movie Seventh Son, where Moore played a witch. According to Bridges, during the filming of Seventh Son, they would joke about the possibility of a sequel, with Bridges saying, “We’d often say, ‘Gee, it’s all set up for a sequel.’”
While Bridges is enthusiastic about the idea, he also expressed that the likelihood of a sequel happening is slim, mainly because the Coen Brothers—Joel and Ethan, who wrote and directed the original—aren’t typically inclined to revisit their past work. Bridges acknowledged that sequels aren’t really the Coens’ style, but he left the door open, adding that if the brothers ever asked him to return as The Dude, he would “gladly say yes.”
The Big Lebowski wasn’t a big hit when it was first released, but over time, it developed a massive, loyal fanbase, thanks to its quirky characters, unique humor, and iconic lines. Bridges portrayed Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, a laid-back, bowling enthusiast who inadvertently gets caught up in a bizarre case of mistaken identity. The film’s ensemble cast also featured John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Julianne Moore, David Huddleston, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tara Reid, John Turturro, and Ben Gazzara. Many of these actors delivered performances that have since become deeply ingrained in pop culture.
Bridges has always spoken highly of The Big Lebowski, even calling it one of his favorite films he’s ever been involved in. Despite the Coen Brothers’ hesitation to revisit the world of The Dude, Bridges’ comments show that if the opportunity ever arose, he would jump at the chance to slip into the character once more.