Ali
As previously reported (our own Mike Lowery even exclusively reported the relaunch of the “Planet of the Apes” brand at Disney, months ago), Disney are resurrecting some of – their newly acquired – Fox’s family film franchises.
On Tuesday’s call to discuss the company’s third-quarter earnings, Disney chief Bob Iger confirmed that the studio will be reviving thief-thwarting Kevin McCalllister, the Smithsonian’s lively attractions, and the ‘Wimpy Kid’ in the near future.
While he only called out “Home Alone”, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”, “Night at the Museum” and “Cheaper By The Dozen”, it’s likely the studio have their eye on many more brands.
Without giving too much away, Iger would only the new films – he wouldn’t confirm whether the reboots would be produced for the big screen or the company’s new streaming service, to launch in November – would be “reimagined” takes on the classics.
While there’s been little to nothing on quite a few of those reboots that Iger referred to today, a “Home Alone” reboot has been in the pipeline for a while. At one stage, Melissa McCarthy and Will Ferrell were rumored to be starring – presumably as fill-ins for Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern’s bumbling crooks.
Some are speculating that the “Home Alone” reboot might actually see the return of original star Macaulay Culkin – if only because he was spotted filming something Christmas-y in Los Angeles in June.
The “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” franchise was rebooted by Fox a year or so back, who seem determined to keep flogging that horse, so no surprise that Disney will continue the brand; there has been no talk of a new “Night at the Museum” sequel, especially since we lost the great Robin Williams (a vital part of that franchise), so assumingly this will take an all-new approach to the Ben Stiller-starring saga; likely without its star too, the next “Cheaper By The Dozen” – which would follow two comedies starring Steve Martin as the patriarch.
