After acquiring Fox’s entertainment assets, including Home Alone, Disney announced plans to reboot the iconic Christmas movie for its streaming service, Disney Plus. The original movie’s director, Chris Columbus, has now shared his thoughts on that as part of a 30th anniversary interview with Insider.
In short, Columbus does not think it’s a good idea. Disney hasn’t asked him to be involved, the director said, and he believes the new film is a “waste of time.”
“No, nobody got in touch with me about it, and it’s a waste of time as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “What’s the point? I’m a firm believer that you don’t remake films that have had the longevity of Home Alone. You’re not going to create lightning in a bottle again. It’s just not going to happen. So why do it? It’s like doing a paint-by-numbers version of a Disney animated film–a live-action version of that. What’s the point? It’s been done. Do your own thing. Even if you fail miserably, at least you have come up with something original.”
Columbus said he has been guilty of this, too, by making Home Alone 2, which he said was “basically a remake of Home Alone.” He said he enjoyed the stunts in the sequel, but he’s still not excited by Disney making a reboot.
Columbus also commented on the Ryan Reynolds adaptation of Home Alone, a stoner movie called “Stoned Alone” wherein Reynolds gets blazed in his house and becomes paranoid that someone is breaking in. Of the new Home Alone-related projects in the works, Columbus said, “Listen, have fun. I just feel, do something new. Life is short.”
For what it’s worth, Stoned Alone was pitched as an R-rated film before Fox’s sale to Disney. Whether or not the project is still going forward with the family friendly Disney is unknown.
As for the Disney Plus reboot, it will follow a similar structure to the original film. Here is the official description of the plot:
“The new Home Alone film will follow a husband and wife who go to war with a young boy, Max, who has stolen from them. Max is an energetic, witty nine-year-old boy with a mischievous side. He feels wise beyond his years and has the personality to easily converse with adults–plus the uncanny ability to relentlessly push their buttons. But, he also displays a sense of innocence and a kind heart, much like the original protagonist.”
Dan Mazer (Dirty Grandpa) is set to direct the upcoming movie, working from a script from Saturday Night Live veterans Streeter Seidell and Mikey Day.
The new Home Alone movie stars Kenan Thompson (Saturday Night Live), Ally Maki (Toy Story 4), and Chris Parnell (Archer), along with Archie Yates (Jojo Rabbit), Rob Delaney (Deadpool 2), and Ellie Kemper (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt).
