Why Diane Keaton in The First Wives Club Still Matters (and What Really Happened to That Sequel)

Honestly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing Annie Paradis. You know the type: the "doormat" who finally grows a spine. When The First Wives Club hit theaters in 1996, Diane Keaton wasn't just another actress in a comedy. She was the heart of a movie that basically told Hollywood to wake up. At the time, if you were a woman over 50, the industry usually treated you like you were invisible. Or worse, like you were only fit to play someone’s boring grandmother.

Then came Annie.

Diane Keaton brought this jittery, high-strung, yet deeply lovable energy to the role that made us all root for her. We’ve all felt like Annie at some point—overlooked, undervalued, and maybe a little too polite for our own good. But watching her go from a woman being gaslit by her therapist (who was literally sleeping with her husband!) to a powerhouse who buys out her ex’s advertising firm? That’s the kind of cinematic revenge that stays with you.

The Casting Gamble That Paid Off

You might not know this, but Diane Keaton was actually the very first person cast in the movie. Producer Scott Rudin had worked with her before on Mrs. Soffel, and he knew she had the "it" factor needed to anchor the trio.

It wasn't a sure bet.

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The studio was skeptical. Hollywood "wisdom" back then said that movies led by middle-aged women wouldn't make money. They were wrong. Dead wrong. The film opened at number one and stayed there for three weeks. It ended up pulling in over $181 million globally. For a movie made on a $26 million budget, that’s a massive win.

Keaton’s chemistry with Bette Midler and Goldie Hawn was like lightning in a bottle. They weren't just three stars sharing a screen; they felt like real friends. Bette Midler recently recalled that they were "on the floor every single day" crying with laughter during filming. That joy is palpable. It’s why we still watch the "You Don't Own Me" dance sequence on repeat whenever we're feeling down.

Why Annie Paradis Was Different

Annie wasn't just "the shy one." She was the moral compass.

1. She dealt with a husband, Aaron, who was a special kind of jerk.
2. She had a complicated, beautiful relationship with her daughter, Chris.
3. She had to overcome crippling self-esteem issues that were being actively weaponized against her.

Keaton played these layers with so much nuance. She wasn't just funny; she was vulnerable. When she finally stands up to Aaron at the end, it’s not just a "gotcha" moment. It’s a rebirth.

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The Heartbreaking Truth About the Sequel

So, why didn't we ever get a sequel? Fans have been begging for The First Wives Club 2 for decades.

The three leads really tried. Bette, Goldie, and Diane "tried and tried and tried" to get Paramount to greenlight a follow-up. They even got producers involved and met multiple times. But the studio dug in their heels.

Goldie Hawn has been pretty vocal about the "why" behind the scenes. Essentially, despite the first movie being a massive hit, the studio didn't want to pay the three women what they were worth. Hawn noted that if three men had brought in that kind of money, their salaries would have been bumped up without a second thought. But for "women of a certain age"? The studio wanted to offer them the same deal they had for the first movie.

They stood their ground. They refused to be undervalued again—which, if you think about it, is exactly what the movie was about in the first place. Talk about life imitating art.

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The Legacy of the White Outfits

There’s something iconic about those matching white suits at the end of the film. It wasn't just a fashion choice; it was a statement of solidarity. Keaton, with her signature style—the hats, the gloves, the menswear-inspired layers—brought a specific kind of chic to the group that felt totally authentic to her.

Even years later, the film remains a "gay cult classic," something Keaton herself was surprised and delighted to learn. She once joked in an interview that she didn't realize she was a "masterclass in authenticity," but that’s exactly what she was. Her "giddy" style, that side-to-side head movement, and her refusal to fit into the typical "Hollywood bombshell" mold gave everyone else permission to be a little weird, too.

What We Can Learn From Annie Today

The world lost Diane Keaton recently at the age of 79, and the outpouring of love proved just how much her work meant. The First Wives Club wasn't just a "chick flick" or a "revenge comedy." It was a manifesto.

Actionable Lessons from the First Wives:

• Don't wait for permission to be powerful. Annie waited for Aaron to love her back for years. She only found success when she started loving herself and her friends more than a failing marriage.
• Friendship is a financial and emotional asset. The women didn't just drink wine; they pooled their intelligence and resources to take back what was theirs.
• Know your worth. Following the lead of Keaton, Hawn, and Midler in real life: if the deal doesn't respect your value, walk away. Your legacy is worth more than a bad paycheck.

If you haven't watched it in a while, go find it on streaming. It’s currently seeing a huge surge in viewership for a reason. Watch it for the jokes, sure, but stay for the reminder that you’re never too old to start a revolution—or a club.

To keep the spirit of Annie Paradis alive, take a look at your own "partnerships"—whether in business or life. Are you being treated like a partner or a placeholder? If it's the latter, maybe it's time to start your own version of the club. You don't need a white suit to take charge of your own story, but it certainly doesn't hurt.