Like It Or Not, ‘A Christmas Story’ Sequel Is Coming
The 1983 classic A Christmas Story is getting a sequel, nearly 40 years after the original film was released.
According to Deadline, Legendary and Warner Bros. just signed actor Peter Billingsley to a deal to reprise his role of Ralphie in A Christmas Story Christmas, a direct sequel to the 1983 film.
The film will premiere on HBO Max, but a premiere date has not been announced.
The film is set in the 1970s, and follows a grown-up Ralphie who takes his kids back to his childhood home on Cleveland Street to give them a Christmas like he once had. He reconnects with old friends, reflects on the passing of the Old Man, and rediscovers the greatness of Christmases past.
None of the other surviving original cast are confirmed to appear, however, Deadline is also reporting that Julie Hagerty (Airplane!) will play the mother. The casting makes sense, as Melinda Dillion hasn’t acted for over a decade and is reportedly retired.
Darren McGavin, who played The Old Man, passed away in 2006.
A spinoff/sideways-sequel to the film, Ollie Hopnoodle’s Haven of Bliss, was released in 1988. It features the Parker family, but features none of the original cast, except for Jean Shephard, who narrates once again. It is not considered a direct sequel to A Christmas Story.
Although sequels and reboots of modern classics are popular these days, many fail to capture the spirit of the original, which is enough for fans of the beloved film to worry about a sequel.
Clay Kaytis (The Christmas Chronicles, The Angry Birds Movie) will direct from a script by Nick Schenk (Cry Macho, Gran Torino) , who will also executive produce. Billingsley and Vince Vaughn will produce through their Wild West Picture Show production company.
Strangely, filming starts in February in Bulgaria, but no word if filming will also take place at the original home used in the 1983 film, which is now a museum.
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