Director Thomas Bezucha talks about plans for a sequel to “Family Stone” on the film’s 20th anniversary. He says that Diane Keaton’s absence as the matriarch Sybil will be a big part of the story since she died recently.
Bezucha has been writing the sequel for two years, ever since he had lunch with Dermot Mulroney, who plays Everett Stone. Everyone from the original cast, including Sarah Jessica Parker as Meredith Morton, wants to come back. They all say, “Just tell me when and where.” Bezucha won’t say much about the plot, but he does hint at a surprise on Christmas morning and says that Starship’s “Find Your Way Back” helped him get back to the original’s quirky spirit.
The sequel’s goal is to honor Keaton even more after she dies. It will focus on family, loss, and reunion without her character. The movie was a holiday dramedy that came out in 2005 and made almost $93 million on a $18 million budget, even though it was a strange mix of cancer, politics, and humor. Now that people are grieving in real life, the movie hits home even more. Bezucha says the project is like a musical twist that makes sure the Stone family’s dynamics are real.
There isn’t a green light from the studio yet, but people are getting more excited about a theatrical release as audiences start to like bold holiday stories again. The supporting cast, which includes Claire Danes, Rachel McAdams, and Dermot Mulroney, adds to the excitement for this tribute to the controversial dinner-table classic. Fans can look forward to the sequel’s exploration of the “long road back” to the family’s heart.
