A new sequel to the beloved classicA Christmas Storyis being developed byHBO Max. As a seal of approval, not only is the original Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley) in the new film, but so are four cast members who portrayed his friends, family, and foe in the original holiday classic.
The news ofHBO Max’s sequel toA Christmas Storymay be surprising, becausethe originalA Christmas Storyfeels like a sacred annual tradition. But that wasn’t always the case. The film was released in 1983, but it wasn’t a hit until seasonal airings on TNT. Given the nostalgic, old-Americana vibes of the movie, watching it at home immediately gave it a classical quality, which continues to this day.
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Deadline reports theChristmas Storysequel will feature the original Randy (Ian Petrella), Schwartz (R.D. Robb), Flick (Scott Schwartz), and Scut Farkus (Zack Ward). The new film is titledA Christmas Story Christmasand will follow an adult Ralphie in the 1970s, giving his own kids a Christmas in his childhood home. The movie is being directed by Clay Katis, who also helmed the hit Netflix projectThe Christmas Chronicles.The script is by Nick Schenk, who’s written several hitClint Eastwood movieslikeGran TorinoandCry Macho.
And this is not the first attempt to make a sequel toA Christmas Story.The original writer and director, Jean Shepard and Bob Clark, respectively, made 1994’sMy Summer Story. The film is little remembered, but it’s to date the closest sequel toA Christmas Storyyet. There was also 2013’s direct-to-videoA Christmas Story 2, but the less said about that one the better.
Now this begs the question: Is it possible to even make a propersequel toA Christmas Story? It seems like a long shot, as the original film has such a unique tone. Nobody other than Clark and Shepard have been able to capture its equally nostalgic and cynical spirit. But the news of much of the original cast returning is promising. If anyone alive can tap into the feelings of the original film, it’s Billingsley and company.
Will this newChristmas Storybe a fitting homage to the original? Or will it be another instantly-forgottendisappointment likeHome Sweet Home Alone? Fans will just have to find out this holiday season.
A Christmas Story Christmasis set to start shooting in Hungary by the end of the month.
