As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of films, I can’t help but marvel at the twists and turns that fate takes in shaping our favorite stories. The tale of John Hughes, Chevy Chase, and Jeremiah S. Chechik is a captivating example of how the paths we choose or are forced to take can lead us to unforeseen destinations.
If you were a child or an adult in the 1990s, you’d remember the massive impact of the Christmas comedy “Home Alone” back then. Everywhere you turned, conversations revolved around Macaulay Culkin and his sudden rise as Hollywood’s most prominent young star. To this very day, “Home Alone” continues to be a movie that is essential viewing during the holiday season.
Unlike Kevin McCallister who magically solves all problems at Christmas, Home Alone is not a product of magic but rather the outcome of a heated disagreement between its director and a well-known Hollywood star. Few people know this, but Home Alone’s director, Chris Columbus, only took on the project because writer John Hughes graciously offered it to him after Columbus declined to direct National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. He refused that project due to Chevy Chase.
Two distinct films share a common thread through the visionary pen of a writer, who recognized Columbus’s comedic flair and his ability to strike the right balance – similar to what we see in ‘Home Alone’. While it’s imaginable that he could have crafted an enjoyable version of ‘Christmas Vacation’, ‘Home Alone’ seems more aligned with the style of films Columbus might create.
Chris Columbus Was the First One Selected to Direct ‘Christmas Vacation’
Following the financial success of “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” in 1985, Warner Bros. pressured franchise creator John Hughes to produce another film. Hughes was responsible for writing the original 1983 movie featuring Chevy Chase as the Griswold patriarch, Clark. However, when the Griswolds ventured to Europe, he chose not to be involved. Given that the reception wasn’t as favorable, it was only natural that Warner Bros. believed his return was necessary for the third installment.
The initial vacation was inspired by Hughes’ short story from National Lampoon magazine titled “Vacation ’58”. For the Christmas installment, he envisioned another short story from the same magazine, “Christmas ’59”. To helm the project, he considered a promising director who had directed two well-received films for Touchstone Pictures: Chris Columbus.
Chevy Chase’s Famously Bad Attitude Towards… Everyone
Initially, let’s address some misconceptions. When Chevy Chase was dismissed from Community, it wasn’t a unique incident in his career. The entertainment industry had previously encountered issues with an actor known for being challenging. In the case of Chevy Chase, an invitation to host an episode at Studio 8 led to a confrontation, as he allegedly displayed aggressive behavior towards the show’s cast members. Even the creator of SNL, Lorne Michaels, imposed a ban on Chase (although he has made occasional guest appearances).
Based on his own admission, Chevy Chase contributed to some unease during the filming of “Three Amigos”, released in 1986 and directed by John Landis. In a potentially controversial moment, Chase made light of safety concerns, which upset Landis deeply (he had previously faced criticism for unsafe conditions while directing a segment in “Twilight Zone: The Movie” that resulted in fatalities). Although no immediate action followed, it’s clear that the atmosphere on set was far from ideal. In summary, there have been multiple instances where Chevy Chase has been alleged to be difficult to work with.
Why Columbus Decided Against Working With Chase
Step onto the filming of the beloved holiday movie, “Christmas Vacation”, where the Griswolds invite everyone over for Christmas Eve. However, things off-camera weren’t as merry. Columbus expressed, “I adore Christmas, so a Christmas comedy was a long-held dream.” But what unfolded? According to the director’s account of his on-set experience:
As a devoted film enthusiast, I had an interesting experience recently that involved dining out with the legendary Chevy Chase. To put it straightforwardly, our interaction was less than amicable; he showed me little respect throughout the evening. Despite this unpleasant encounter, I persevered and even took on the role of a second-unit director, capturing some stunning shots of downtown Chicago. Amazingly, these scenes made it into the final cut of the movie.
Later, I met up with Chevy again, but the encounter wasn’t great. I reached out to John [Hughes] and expressed my concerns, ‘I simply cannot work on this film with him.’ John responded empathetically, understanding my predicament.
Jeremiah S. Chechik, a less-known director, stepped in following Columbus’ departure from the project. This transition led to the creation of a popular Christmas movie quote favorite that performed well at the box office, as desired by Warner Bros. However, this event marked the close of an epoch; National Lampoon, their famous magazine imprint, and John Hughes parted ways with the Vacation series immediately afterwards. The franchise resurfaced eight years later with the unmemorable Vegas Vacation, featuring Chase as well.
It All Worked Out for the Best, Since ‘Home Alone’ Is Also a Quintessential Christmas Classic
Following weeks since Columbus gave up on his cherished venture, a parcel arrived from John Hughes. Inside lay a draft for a heartwarming Christmas comedy centered around a child left at home by his parents during the festive season, accompanied by a request for Columbus to oversee its direction. From that moment forward, history was set in motion.
It’s widely believed that “Home Alone” surpasses “Christmas Vacation” as a film, and is often considered an essential Christmas movie. For numerous viewers, it’s become a traditional choice for holiday viewing. Released in 1990, “Home Alone” was the second highest-grossing film of that year, earning a staggering $476 million at the box office, significantly more than “Christmas Vacation,” which made over $73 million.
As a movie enthusiast, I must say that the absence of Columbus from working with Chase didn’t seem to hinder the success of the cinematic gem known as “Home Alone.” This film, the beginning of a series that may have surpassed the longevity of the “Vacation” franchise, is quite remarkable. Pondering what could have been if Columbus had joined the Griswolds instead of the McCallister family is an intriguing thought, but one I prefer to keep in the realm of imagination.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-22 22:32