Chris Columbus famed director of Home Alone and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York very nearly directed a completely different Christmas movie instead. On a recent episode of The Hollywood Reporter's Awards Chatter podcast Columbus explained a rather “bizarre” meeting with Chevy Chase ultimately changed his path. Columbus now has also been producing new versions of titles such as Nosferatu movie that is released this Christmas .
Awkward Meeting With Chevy Chase Leads to Chris Columbus Exiting Directing of "Christmas Vacation"
John Hughes contacted fellow Chicagoan Chris Columbus offering him the chance to direct National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation as he knew Columbus badly needed to make a movie after having poor prior releases at box office. Columbus who desperately wanted this particular role accepted readily to work with John Hughes and even commenced shooting second-unit footage over Christmas for “Christmas Vacation”. The conversation with actor Chevy Chase completely undermined and derailed the entire production process as Chase had little interest in having any collaborative ideas as lead star of film. Columbus said during a lengthy conversation Chase acted strangely not showing any interest in questions surrounding production.
Surreal Encounter Causes Director Chris Columbus to Leave "Christmas Vacation" Project For Home Alone
During a surreal experience, Chevy Chase surprisingly questioned whether Chris Columbus was the director confusing his role with the drummer for the project demonstrating very poor preparation before film work has began. Columbus described the meeting as odd and detailed to John Hughes who then had an attempt at creating group dinner to address creative issues however Chase continually ignored director and even changed topic whenever director brought up elements of the movie's plot or themes that required consideration from actor for consistency. Due to such disrespectful and odd actions Columbus chose to exit the Christmas Vacation production despite being unsure about any prospects of his future film making opportunities. A week later however John Hughes a person considered a “mensch” by many writers sent a script of Home Alone to Columbus.
Macaulay Culkin’s Casting and Initial Concerns From Columbus Before Production of Home Alone Movie
Though John Hughes readily accepted the idea of Macaulay Culkin being cast as lead character Kevin McCallister in Home Alone Chris Columbus needed more convincing during the early process of casting for the 1990 film project. Chris Columbus said John Hughes was an exemplary film producer from whom Columbus was able to gain useful knowledge concerning best practices for production quality and efficiency and also communication strategies among key individuals. He ended up meeting more than 300 children for lead before finding it magical upon seeing Macaulay Culkin yet again for the main casting role as lead character.
The Chris Farley Audition And Discarded Plans That Still Allowed a Deep Friendship Over Many Years
Chris Farley a rising actor was nearly cast in Home Alone. Columbus invited Chris Farley during a Saturday morning audition for a role as Santa however he noted Farley who was in less than great shape had also come in from a late evening at work. Due to issues relating to role and appearance he had to tell Farley “not this time”. Over time they created strong friendship where they constantly reminisced on that strange morning audition that went into other various funny and odd memories they both shared.
Debating the Finances of McCallister Family's House: A Deep Dive Into The Home Alone's Household Wealth
Chris Columbus and John Hughes debated on the types of job opportunities both parents of the McCallister household held. Many movie viewers and experts have also made theories to how such a vast house in Winnetka Illinois in 1990 movie era. Kate McCallister is a fashion designer that was determined after some debate as being the reason for fashion mannequins in the family's basement. The profession of the father played by John Heard is still left unknown as he is not tied to any certain career. John Hughes also worked in advertising in life, which would have also factored in how character might be written however he also is noted for many additional professional endeavors before that particular point in time.
Organized Crime Theory Is Debunked in Home Alone Plot Inquiries
Chris Columbus also wanted to dismiss ideas that a theory of organized crime could be involved during discussions as some people believed the family might have made a bad fortune leading Harry and Marv to target family as this might also be linked to Harry’s reason for initially wanting to “work the street” to begin with. Even in the times of film many crimes were taking place within the city Chicago it was ultimately removed from this family’s main storyline which left an open question concerning character history. John Heard also plays main character's dad “Peter McCallister”. Joe Pesci also plays as "Harry" while also acting alongside Daniel Stern who played Marv in the popular Home Alone franchise movie.
Winnetka Illinois "Home Alone" Mansion Draws Enormous Speculation Among Fans and Industry Experts
The large mansion of the McCallister family in Home Alone that has five bedrooms plus six bathrooms sold very recently is known for being a huge topic of curiosity from the 1990 film debut till recent times. The house was officially priced at $5.25 million after recent sale with all the home's popularity for a big sale price. The questions surrounding house from The New York Times plus The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago have investigated the financial state of families capable of living such an extraordinary place and their financial security through different occupations.
The Film's Costuming Plus Set Pieces Inform Kate's Character Details within Home Alone's Movie Series
Kate McCallister’s successful fashion designer career is clearly hinted within set production showing mannequins plus other hints showing her skill. Chris Columbus emphasized after many production discussions the idea that her extremely successful work in fashion was one of the driving elements toward vacation plans to Paris. Columbus mentioned specifically about the high financial costs and that they were intended to be an indicator for the high-powered role that her character played in family's dynamic.
The Ambiguous Background of Peter McCallister's Career Opens Interpretations From Production Staff
John Hughes real life work in advertising influenced early Peter McCallister characters however a specific work sector is still being debated with different theories and suggestions. There was no connection with organized crime with even the location city Chicago being notorious for organized crimes and issues of money being involved in early 90s and some people even theorizing the house’s beauty was target to the group. The father "Peter McCallister" does not have many defining personality factors beyond basic parenting and being lead character’s dad so those roles could be the reason his work remains debated.
Macaulay Culkin's Past Interest in Iconic 'Home Alone' House and Ideas for a "Movie Fun House"
Macaulay Culkin expressed his previous interest in buying the Home Alone house with an ultimate idea to create a themed “movie fun house” allowing fans opportunities to reenact iconic scenes such as the sledding down the stairs. The Home Alone house has also drawn immense interest from Macaulay Culkin through the years of its existence as the actor recently admitted during an on-site screening. However Culkin with two young sons with fiancé Brenda Song chose not to purchase property for personal reasons and family responsibility reasons, demonstrating his maturity.