When Uncle Jesse, D.J., Kimmy Gibbler and the gang return with Fuller House on Netflix, there will be one conspicuously absent member of the family: Michelle. The role shared by child actresses turned entrepeneurs/fashion icons Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen will have to be somehow written off the revamp of the franchise, which is being spearheaded by John Stamos, because as The Hollywood Reporter has learned, the twins have officially declined to take part.
It already seemed clear enough that the Olsens, who are worth a combined $300 million, were not likely to be involved in the new series when it was first announced last month. Both twins played it coy saying "We just found out about it today" back in April after Stamos went public with the details, and he immediately said, "I call bullshit," as ABC News reported. He implied he had, of course, reached out to them about the show, but they said they were going to need to "talk to the creators" and make a decision. Neither of them has done any acting in years (Ashley had an uncredited role in 2010's I'm Still Here and Mary-Kate last performed in 2011's Beastly), and one can guess that the paycheck for this Netflix series isn't enough to get them out of bed or distract them from their fashion lines and retail empire.
In a statement, Fuller House executive producer Robert L. Boyett said, "Although Ashley and Mary-Kate will not be a part of Fuller House, I know how much Full House has meant to them and they are still very much considered family. It has been exciting to see how they have built their professional careers, and I support their choice to focus on their fashion brands and various business endeavors. I appreciate their support and good wishes towards Fuller House."
As we learned earlier, the show will center a grown up D.J. Tanner (Candace Cameron-Bure), now a pregnant recent widow, who ends up sharing a house with best friend Kimmy (Andrea Barber) and sister Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin). Dave Coulier has confirmed he'll return as Uncle Joey, and original stars Bob Saget and Lori Loughlin are also in talks to return. Per the Hollywood Reporter, we have a few more plot details.
Premiering on Netflix in 2016, the series finds D.J. Tanner-Fuller employed as a vet, pregnant and recently widowed, and living in San Francisco. Stephanie, now an aspiring musician, and single mother Kimmy along with Kimmy’s feisty teenage daughter, Ramona all move in to help take care of D.J.’s two boys the rebellious 12-year-old J.D. and neurotic 7-year-old Max and her soon-to-arrive baby.
Perhaps there'll just be a picture on the mantle of grown-up Michelle, clutching a Starbucks and wearing something boho chic on the streets of Manhattan, where she's now a successful retail entrepreneur and fashion icon.
Previously: Video: John Stamos Confirms 'Full House' Reunion, Spills Details