As a long-time fan of Hollywood lore and a connoisseur of “what-if” casting stories, John Mulaney’s account of almost being cast as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone has sent my nostalgia meter soaring. To think that the witty and talented comedian could have brought his unique charm to one of the most iconic roles of the ’90s is a fascinating “what-if.
One of my favorite types of Hollywood anecdotes is the “what-if casting” story. And recently, comedian John Mulaney shared a glimpse of a what-if for one of the best Christmas movies of all time. According to the Big Mouth star, he was offered the chance to audition for Home Alone as a kid, which has me looking at the film’s lead character in a new light. What if the Baby J performer had taken on the role of precocious 8-year-old Kevin McCallister? This certainly would have changed one of the best movies of the 1990s.
The comedian recently recounted in a GQ interview for the outlet’s Actually Me series that back in 1989, at seven-year-old, he was part of a local children’s improv group called The Rugrats, and he caught the eye of someone involved in casting Home Alone. This led to an invitation for him and his parents to consider auditioning. As the stand-up comic hilariously remembered:
Originally, I had been given the chance to try out for the role of Kevin in Home Alone… My mom pondered over it for a brief moment. While we were getting my booster shot at the pediatrician, she broke the news to me: ‘After discussing with your dad, we’ve decided not to let you audition for that movie.’ And then I received my booster shot. It felt like… Perhaps if they combined those two unwanted events, they might cancel each other out. However, I can still recall both instances, and I don’t have fond memories of either.
It’s quite fascinating to ponder over how the character Kevin might have turned out if portrayed by the actor from “Mulaney.” Despite missing his opportunity for stardom in Hollywood as a child, he readily acknowledges that the role of Kevin McCallister was perfectly cast. In true style, the star of “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers” gave credit where it’s due, blending genuine admiration with his characteristic humor.
I do want to say for the record, there is no better performance in the 1990s than Macaulay Culkin and ‘Home Alone,’ and he deserved an Oscar nomination and an Oscar for that role. [joking] If you have a Macaulay Culkin story, call me at my personal number.
In classic Mulaney style, there’s a heartfelt recognition of Culkin’s iconic performance as Kevin, balanced with humor to keep things enjoyable. Truthfully, I can’t envision any other actor for the role of Kevin. Just consider all those straight-to-video sequels we never wanted, the attempted reboots and remakes of Home Alone, and how challenging it is to discover a young talent as captivating as Culkin or Kevin.
Despite my fondness for the actor who plays Spider-Ham, I’m not convinced he could’ve delivered the weighty impact needed for one of the ’90s finest comedies. Here’s a clip from his GQ interview for you to see: [Link]
This tale about the potential casting of ‘Home Alone’ is one of those fascinating “what if” scenarios that highlight the fragility and significance of the casting process, and how crucial it is to get a film just right. Contemplating whether an eight-year-old Mulaney would have brought his signature dry wit and quick-witted delivery to the table, it’s tough to refute his self-evaluation: Macaulay Culkin possessed such a vibrant personality at such a tender age. This charisma made him an ideal fit for the role, and his performance has withstood the test of time as one of the most iconic of the 90’s–which could be why the former child star is still active in acting today.
The next time you pop on “Home Alone” (a movie you can stream with Disney+ during the holidays) for your annual Christmas viewing, pause for a moment to consider the alternate outcomes and possibilities that contributed to making this film a timeless classic. Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out John Mulaney in his latest stand-up special, “Baby J”, which is now streaming on Netflix.
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2024-11-18 03:37