The first twoHome Alonefilms have become holiday classics since their release in the early ’90s andDisneyis capitalizing on nostalgia for the franchise with a reboot of the original. Now, Chris Columbus, who directed the first two entries in the film series, has explained why he believes the Disney Plus reboot is unnecessary.
Development on the Disney reboot ofHome Alonebegan after the company gained the rights to the franchise inits acquisition of 20th Century Fox. While the Columbus films centered on a young boy named Kevin McCallister and his efforts to thwart a pair of burglars with a series of elaborate traps, the reboot appears to be flipping the script by following a married couple who face off against a child named Max who has stolen from them. Production on the reboot began in March 2020 in Montreal, Canada, with director Dan Mazer at the helm and a cast that includes Rob Delaney, Ellie Kemper, andJojo Rabbitstar Archie Yates.
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During an interview with Insider, Columbus confirmed that he was not contacted by anyone from Disney about the newHome Alonefilm. However, the filmmaker appeared to be uninterested in participating in the reboot and chastised the very concept ofremaking classic films. “It’s a waste of time as far as I’m concerned. What’s the point? I’m a firm believer that you don’t remake films that have had the longevity ofHome Alone. You’re not going to create lightning in a bottle again. It’s just not going to happen. So why do it?” Columbus said. “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.”
Before Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, the latter studio had been developing anR-rated reimagining ofHome Alonewith Ryan ReynoldstitledStoned Alone. The story would center on Reynolds' character missing his plane for a ski trip and later taking on thieves who have broken into his home after spending all of his free time getting high on weed. “God only knows what that will be — a stoner version ofHome Alone? Listen, have fun. I just feel, do something new. Life is short,” said Columbus of the planned stoner comedy take onHome Alone.
Columbus does note that his criticism of remakes and retreading old material could be lobbed at him for directingHome Alone 2: Lost in New York. While the sequel shifts the location from the Chicago suburbs toNew York City, Columbus admits that the film is “basically a remake” of the original.
While theHome Alonereboot is slated to premiere exclusively on Disney+, a specific date has not yet been announced. The debut of the reboot may have been impacted bythe COVID-19 pandemic, which forced Disney to suspend production on all of its projects in March.
