As someone who grew up in the golden age of broad comedy, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia when I think about the formative experiences my friends and I had watching movies like “Dumb and Dumber,” “Kingpin,” and “There’s Something About Mary.” It was a time when going to the movie theater was an event, a shared experience that brought people together in laughter.
Back in mid-December of 1994, the Farrelly brothers caused quite a stir in cinemas worldwide with their hilarious first directorial film, titled Dumb and Dumber. It’s only fitting that their new film, Dear Santa, marks their first collaboration in a decade, and it’s set to release three weeks before the 30th anniversary of their popular buddy comedy starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.
Over the past few years, Rhode Island natives Peter and Bobby have remained active. Notably, Peter earned two Oscars for his work as co-writer and director of the film “Green Book” (2018), winning awards for best picture and best screenplay. Meanwhile, Bobby directed the underappreciated comedy-drama “Champions” (2023) starring Woody Harrelson. Prior to this, he had already produced and/or directed numerous projects in both film and television industries.
However, since their last collaboration in Dumb and Dumber To, a sequel that celebrated 20 years from their breakthrough movie, the brothers have remained closely bonded. In 2018, they joined forces once more, this time on the television show Loudermilk created by Peter and Bobby Mort. Additionally, they’ve been working together for years on a Broadway adaptation of their highest-grossing film, There’s Something About Mary (1998). As Bobby explained, the coincidental timing of their return to films was not planned.
It turned out to be quite serendipitous that our reunion happened on the very day marking the 30th anniversary of Dumb and Dumber, as Bobby Farrelly shares with The Hollywood Reporter, in reference to Paramount+’s Dear Santa. “We made Dumb and Dumber back in 1994, followed by a sequel, Dumb and Dumber To, 20 years later. Perhaps, at the 40th anniversary, we’ll create another sequel.
In addition to collaborating on the movie “Dear Santa” starring Jack Black, Bobby directed both this film and a comedy-drama he developed from a script co-written by Peter and Ricky Blitt. This script was a modernized version of an idea from 12 years prior by Dan Ewen, which revolved around a dyslexic child who inadvertently wrote to Satan instead of Santa. The revised story now focuses on an 11-year-old boy named Liam (Robert Timothy Smith), who unwittingly conjures up Jack Black’s “Satan” during a tumultuous Christmas season at home.
Peter, by sharing a frank personal story about an old lover, emphasizes that backing each other’s independent endeavors can help long-term partners in various fields deeply appreciate the value of their collaborative bond. Additionally, he leaves open the possibility of working together with Bobby on future projects.
Peter Farrelly candidly admits, “I’ve found myself thinking, ‘Oh, if only Bobby were here beside me,'” he says. “Having Bobby on the set of Green Book would undoubtedly have enhanced the film. I can’t explain exactly how, but I know it would have been improved because Bobby has a knack for making everything better.
In a latest chat with THR, the Farrelly brothers voice their concerns about the current predicament of comedies in theaters, but remain hopeful for a brighter future.
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By the way, isn’t it delightful to witness the Farrelly brothers working together on a movie once more? I wonder if their reunion was marked by grand celebrations, or if it transpired quite spontaneously?
BOBBY FARRELLY Actually, this task has kept us busy for quite some time now. Can you remind me approximately when we first started on it, Pete?
PETER FARRELLY We started [Dear Santa] 12 years ago.
As a dedicated admirer, let me share my perspective: Back in the day, our team was working on various projects, but the timing felt just right for this one. Pete and Ricky Blitt crafted the script, and after numerous revisions, we finally nailed it. I took the helm as director, while we both produced the project, making it an ideal opportunity to collaborate.
PETER FARRELLY No, it wasn’t a sudden, “Why on earth are we collaborating?” Instead, we simply established a connection.
Are we almost at the 30-year mark since Dumb and Dumber was first released? Could the upcoming milestone have played any role in organizing this reunion?
BOBBY FARRELLY It was a complete coincidence.
PETER FARRELLY It’s astonishing how quickly three decades have passed. I can’t quite grasp where the time went.
BOBBY FARRELLY But we honestly weren’t thinking along those lines.
As a gamer, let me tell you, from now on, it looks like we’ll be navigating this adventure side by side. We don’t usually lay out detailed strategies; instead, we grab opportunities as they present themselves, sort of like how I pick up power-ups in my favorite game – unexpected, yet incredibly useful! And just the other day, a golden ticket dropped into our lap, reminiscent of dear old Santa dropping a rare item into my gaming world. Let’s see where this exciting journey takes us!
Bobby Farrelly mentioned that they released “Dumb and Dumber” in 1994, followed by a sequel titled “[Dumb and Dumber To]” 20 years later. Perhaps, around its 40th anniversary, we might see another sequel.
PETER FARRELLY Yeah.
In that scenario, it would be ideal for us all to get together again: myself, you, Jim Carrey, and Jeff Daniels. Perhaps under such circumstances, we could do so then.
PETER FARRELLY Absolutely. By the way, over the past few years, we’ve worked on a TV series titled “Loudermilk“. I write it, while Bobby directs it, so we’ve been collaborating in the world of television.
BOBBY FARRELLY We’ve got a project underway to transform “There’s Something About Mary” into a Broadway play, which means we have quite a bit happening here.
Just a short while ago, I had a conversation with film director Albert Hughes, who shared his thoughts on the trend of sibling duos in the industry parting ways – like the Coens, Wachowskis, and Safdies. He suggested that this could be due to an inherent curiosity about defining one’s individual identity. Does this resonate with your experience at all?
PETER FARRELLY Indeed, in my perspective, this point predominantly pertains to the realm of scriptwriting. As directors, we’re aware of our roles and responsibilities, which are largely consistent when working with a pre-existing script. However, there can be subtle differences in our approaches to scriptwriting. At times, it feels like I’m being influenced in one direction or pushing him towards another. These creative disagreements during the writing process can be exhausting, and they lead to questions such as, “What if we had chosen a different path?” This sense of curiosity often leads to a desire to explore our individual ideas independently.
BOBBY FARRELLY Yes, however, it was important for us both to explore our own ideas independently as well.
PETER FARRELLY Right.
Bobbly Farrelly expressed that they had partnered up for twenty years, and when he said, “Sure, if you wish to embark on a solo project, go for it,” the sentiment was mutual. It’s quite exciting, in fact! Pete independently produced ‘Green Book,’ which earned him a couple of Oscars, demonstrating that things have worked out rather well.
PETER FARRELLY For close to three decades, I’ve been married, but prior to that, I had a girlfriend. She used to date a treasure hunter, a pirate-like figure who unearthed pirate ships. One time, she informed me that he contacted her, asking her to assist him on a boat in Belize for two weeks, as they were excavating something. Given their history, she inquired if I was comfortable with this arrangement. I responded casually, “Of course, I’m fine with it.” After all, what could I do? So, I allowed her to depart, and unfortunately, she chose to be unfaithful, which led to the dissolution of our relationship.
THE FARRELLY BROTHERS (Laugh)
That sounds like a movie idea.
PETER FARRELLY Yeah. But I’m glad I let her go. It’s better to know.
BOBBY FARRELLY It’s a little Romancing the Bone.
THE FARRELLY BROTHERS (Laugh)
As a gamer, have there been times when, during my solo gaming sessions, I found myself imagining what my gaming buddy would say in similar situations? Absolutely!
PETER FARRELLY At times, I’ve found myself wishing Bobby was by my side, as his perspective could really help ease my concerns and doubts. Often, when faced with a challenging question or decision, I could simply ask him for his thoughts, which would provide me with the reassurance I needed. I would say something like, “I think this is the solution, what do you think?” And he would confirm, “That’s it.” With his validation, I wouldn’t have to second-guess my decision anymore, as it was finalized.
BOBBY FARRELLY Indeed, with two people, decisions can be swiftly made and the focus shifted to the next task. This approach offers efficiency, allowing us to complete daily tasks effectively, which is a significant advantage. It reduces stress because we don’t have to second-guess whether a scene is finished or not, as that decision often brings additional pressure. For twenty years, we relied on each other to validate our work. One might say, “I believe we nailed it,” or, “I don’t think we’ve captured the humorous climax I was aiming for.” And if necessary, we would rework it. Having a second opinion is valuable, but after twenty years of collaboration, we felt confident enough to work independently.
PETER FARRELLY I’ve mentioned this numerous times, and I’m absolutely sincere. If Bobby had been part of our team, things might have turned out a bit smoother. I genuinely believe they would have. I can’t explain how, but I just know it would have been an improvement because he always manages to enhance what we do. Still, I’m glad I branched out on my own. However, having someone like your brother who you trust implicitly and who always looks out for your best interests is a unique kind of support. There are times when you really miss that companionship.
Given that my name is frequently miswritten as “Brain,” I readily found the idea in the Dear Santa letter, written by a child with dyslexia who accidentally addressed it to Satan instead of Santa, amusing. However, you mentioned that an earlier version of the script had been in existence for 12 years. What ultimately led to its success?
PETER FARRELLY Ricky Blitt deserves a lot of credit.
BOBBY FARRELLY Indeed, Ricky Blitt is another collaborator whom Pete and I have penned numerous works together. He’s an exceptionally gifted wordsmith.
PETER FARRELLY The concept originated with executive producers Pete Jones and Kevin Barnett, with input from Dan Ewen. We played around with it in various ways, tested it out, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. I felt like we needed another go at it.
JEREMY KRAMER It was Jeremy Kramer, the studio executive at Fox, who initially championed our project and remained steadfast in his support for it. He frequently posed questions like, “What if we try this? Can we revisit the idea?” In time, Pete and Ricky took up his challenge and penned a fresh draft. Previously, some other drafts had failed to hit the mark.
PETER FARRELLY Jeremy Kramer encouraged me to move forward with it. That’s when I invited Ricky on board, as he has been a long-time writer for ‘Family Guy’, and I felt the tone was quite similar to our project. His unique perspective opened up possibilities for me, enabling me to visualize where this could develop effectively. This marked a significant turning point.
Sure thing!
Was Jack Black one of the prime candidates for the role that required an actor who could portray a character somewhere between Satan and Santa, given their prior collaboration in the 2001 film “Shallow Hal”?
Bobby Farrellly We weren’t sure if we could convince him, as he was already at the pinnacle and perfectly suited for the part. However, being a busy individual, we wondered if he would even acknowledge the offer. But surprisingly, just two hours after receiving the script, he texted us back, expressing his enthusiasm: “I feel destined for this role.
PETER FARRELLY Sent me an image showing him sporting horns. This was the swiftest reply we’ve ever received from any celebrity. It left us utterly astonished. And the same rapid response came from the musician, Post Malone.
BOBBY FARRELLY Indeed, our good fortune lies in landing the two significant parts in the film. We managed to find the ideal actors for these roles, which significantly benefited us.
Absolutely, a Post Malone performance plays a crucial role in the movie. If for some reason Post Malone couldn’t perform, did you have an alternative artist lined up as a backup?
BOBBY FARRELLY To tell the truth, we would have needed to determine which performers 11-year-old children might enjoy watching in a concert. I’m certain that there was a list of potential candidates we could have considered. However, what I can say for sure is that I’m thrilled Post took on the role because he seemed to be the ideal choice. Nonetheless, if your first choice isn’t available, the right person will eventually step up to the task. Consequently, having Post and Jack as our initial choices was an unusual turn of events, but they were precisely the individuals suited for the roles.
Peter Farrell’s words suggest that they were persistent in their casting choices for the movie “Dumb and Dumber,” eventually offering the role of [Lloyd Christmas] to Jim Carrey, who was the 150th actor considered for the part. He implies that sometimes not getting everything you want can lead to better outcomes, and that’s what happened with their casting decision. In other words, they really wanted Jack (presumably another actor), but didn’t stress about it, instead trusting the universe to guide things. They waited patiently to see how things would unfold.
GAMER_JIMOccasionally, I might ask another gamer to check out a challenging level or a tricky glitch, and they might respond, “Nah, that’s not my cup of tea.” And I totally get it. No worries at all!
PETER FARRELLY None.
Bobby Farrellly: That individual seemed unsuitable for that role as they didn’t react positively to it.
Liam clings stubbornly to his faith in Santa Claus, causing those around him to feel exasperated. Has anyone here held onto a childhood belief longer than they should have, finding it difficult to let go at the time?
BOBBY FARRELLY Sometimes, we cling to our hopes and convictions longer than necessary, just like Liam, who’s 11 years old. Unlike other kids his age, he hasn’t let go of certain beliefs yet. He explains that he does it for his mom. Despite going through a hard time, Liam truly has good intentions. This aspect is crucial in our storytelling as filmmakers, as it gives depth to our characters, even if they have flaws. If the audience perceives the character as coming from a positive place, we can push the comedic elements further. This has always been our secret recipe, and it works with Liam too, with Robert Timothy Smith delivering an outstanding performance as him.
It’s quite possible that people frequently inquire about the current status of studio comedies. While there are occasional exceptions, the genre and its subcategories aren’t as prevalent on the big screen as they used to be. Could it be partly because audiences are now getting their laughs from superhero or action movies?
PETER FARRELLY This question is quite intricate and I don’t have the solution, but it seems that there’s an abundance of humor available online, fulfilling people’s amusement needs. Just this morning, I came across five TikTok posts that made me laugh out loud. It’s puzzling to me why, but today only around 6% of movies in theaters are comedies, compared to 35% two decades ago. However, if a few successful comedy films hit the cinemas, the percentage could rise back up to 35%. This trend has been observed.
BOBBY FARRELLY It’s cyclical, yeah.
Peter Farrell believes that comedies are making a comeback. He’s not ready to let them go, as they’ll always be around just like music.
AS A GAMER: You’ve got a point there – humor sure brings joy, but I’ve noticed that the attention span of young gamers has shrunk quite a bit these days, with all the memes and TikToks flying around. It does make comedy games a tad tricky, but I believe the charm will return once we have some blockbuster hits that spark another wave of laughter-filled adventures.
Speaking of the classic film, Dumb and Dumber, it grossed an impressive $250 million on a budget of just $17 million (equivalent to 1994 currency). Doesn’t it seem unlikely that such a success story could be repeated in 2024?
PETER FARRELLY What’s disappointing is that we didn’t have a backup plan for that project or for “There’s Something About Mary”, which cost $23 million and earned $475 million. It’s also disheartening that comedy films aren’t being released in theaters at the moment, but I’m content with where I am. The way Paramount+ is promoting it, more people will watch “Dear Santa” in the next few weeks than they would in theaters. By the way, it’ll then be available on other streaming platforms, so it’s going to reach a lot of viewers. Essentially, that’s what you aim for. However, I do miss the shared experience of being with 500 people, all feeling it together at the same time.
BOBBY FARRELLY More specifically, in the realm of humor. Laughing tends to be infectious. Upon hearing another person’s laughter, we often find ourselves laughing reflexively. It’s a shared experience, we both laugh together.
PETER FARRELLY It’s alright to find humor in things. Some individuals might not feel comfortable laughing unless they hear others doing so first. They may think, “This is acceptable,” otherwise they might feel awkward.
BOBBY FARRELLY Going to a comedy alone might not make you laugh as loudly because there’s no one else around to share the humor with. However, when you’re in a crowd, laughter seems to be more contagious and makes you burst out laughing more easily.
Even though we were too young to purchase our own tickets, movies like “Dumb and Dumber,” “Kingpin,” and “There’s Something About Mary” had a significant impact on me and my friends. It’s a bit sad that today’s kids don’t seem to have similar influential broad comedy experiences in theaters.
BOBBY FARRELLY I concur with your thoughts. It’s unfortunate to notice the declining number of people visiting movie theaters nowadays, and the shift in how people perceive movies, especially comedies. It’s been a while since we’ve had a major box office success for a comedy film, one that elicits loud laughter, but who knows when it might return. If someone manages to produce such a film that tickles our funny bone, I believe audiences will flock to see it.
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Dear Santa is now streaming on Paramount+.
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2024-11-27 01:27